Canadian Starbucks Says "No Photos for you!" Tourists Say Too Bad
A Canadian photographer was taking a photo of the exterior of the new Starbucks in her Toronto neighborhood when the owner ran from the building and told her she wasn't allowed to take pictures. A tourist group was in the area, heard the owner's craziness, and staged an impromptu shoot-in, while the owner glared at them from inside.
The photographer is wondering about the truthfulness of the owner's statements that you can't take pictures of Starbucks even from the street or sidewalk. I know it's untrue if you're in the US but I'm really uncertain about Canada. There is a really strong photoblogging community in Toronto though so I'm sure there is someone who can and will explain if and how the owner is wrong.
On my last assignment I needed a shot of some students studying inside a coffeehouse. The manager of the Starbucks wouldn't let me shoot inside, but said outside was no problem. It took a half dozen phone calls to corporate headquarters to get permission to shoot inside, the next day, and they were going to send along someone to oversee. I did it guerilla style instead; I shot when the manager's back was turned.
Peets Coffee has the same policy. I've gotten busted in American Apparel too, photographing my wife as she shopped. All chain stores are reading from the same playbook.
starbucks is a very design centered place and every inch of their experience is copy written and they will sue you for breathing incorrectly. Starbucks is to be avoided at all costs.