TheMattSanner said:So...
I'm still a little unclear.
I have a business, with a business license, insurance, etc. So that covers me for the legality of taking money in exchange for services rendered.
But are you saying that, while I can take pictures from the ground with my business, if I put my GoPro on a Phantom and charge for THOSE images, I'm violating some kind of law? (I'm here in Virginia, and AFAIK, the only laws about UAVs restrict the POLICE from using them, not civilians. Woot.) But does the fact that I'm flying a "toy" plane (hobby craft, albeit sophisticated), and charge for my images, somehow put me in a different light with the FAA?
FAA dont care if its a toy or not. They still require you to be a certified operator. The final regs haven't been set in stone in the us as yet, but there is some businesses certified to fly UAVs!
As for the insurance, no insurance will cover you if your doing something that your business isn't certified to do! I.E. fly a UAV. I imagine your car is somewhat cover under your business insurance, however if you were to crash while speeding or an un-licensed driver was driving, the cover would be voided.
It's also worth remembering that even if you fly and provide photo/videos to another person or business for free and they go on to use them for promoting/advertising etc then they can still be fined!