Showbiz
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill to combat the problem of paparazzi in California.
Under the new law, which will take effect on January 1, 2006, paparazzi will now be liable to pay three times the amount they were previously charged if they assault people during a shoot.
BBC News quotes Cindy Montanez, the Assemblywoman who proposed the bill, as saying: "This bill hits the paparazzi where it hurts - the wallet. Money is their motivation, so taking away their money will be the solution."
In addition to the ability of suing for up to three times the damages they suffered, stars will also be able to seek a court order to make the paparazzi give up any income gained from the pictures taken.
A number of celebrities have recently complained that they were injured or suffered accidents whilst being pursued by paparazzi, including Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lopez and Lindsay Lohan.
Under the new law, which will take effect on January 1, 2006, paparazzi will now be liable to pay three times the amount they were previously charged if they assault people during a shoot.
BBC News quotes Cindy Montanez, the Assemblywoman who proposed the bill, as saying: "This bill hits the paparazzi where it hurts - the wallet. Money is their motivation, so taking away their money will be the solution."
In addition to the ability of suing for up to three times the damages they suffered, stars will also be able to seek a court order to make the paparazzi give up any income gained from the pictures taken.
A number of celebrities have recently complained that they were injured or suffered accidents whilst being pursued by paparazzi, including Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lopez and Lindsay Lohan.
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