North Carolina Drones Oral Argument
Michael Jones started a one-man drone operation in 2016 providing clients with photos of land that he then used software to combine into high-definition maps. But to the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors, this simple act of taking pictures was an unlicensed act of surveying and they threatened legal consequences. This is a violation of Michael’s First Amendment rights which protect the ability to communicate information, even information used in a technical or commercial setting.
Attorney Who Argued The Hearing
Sam Gedge
Senior Attorney
about the case
Economic Liberty | First Amendment | Occupational Licensing
North Carolina Drones
Michael Jones uses his drone to take photos for clients, but North Carolina argues that in doing so he’s practicing “land surveying” and needs a license. However, that’s not at all what he’s doing and…