Being dressed up as a character and taking money for photos

[Croc]

As in the title of this thread. Me and my friend are thinking about earning some money by staying on Times Square in NYC in some funny costumes. There are several guys like that, but we don't know what are the legal restricts when it comes to such type of activity. Are there any or they all do it illegally?

 

[xylene]

As in the title of this thread. Me and my friend are thinking about earning some money by staying on Times Square in NYC in some funny costumes. There are several guys like that, but we don't know what are the legal restricts when it comes to such type of activity. Are there any or they all do it illegally?

There are many legal restrictions, and most buskers in NYC are illegal.

There are permits, but it is deliberately byzantine.

 

[Croc]

Do Police do controls of these people often? What is the punishment if they simply catch you?

 

[Antigone*]

Do Police do controls of these people often? What is the punishment if they simply catch you?

Put it this way, whatever pitance you earn will go straight back into the coiffers of the City. You'll have done this all for nothing, except maybe the ticket.

 

[Zigner]

...and, no, we're not going to help you brainstorm for ways to break the law without getting caught!

 

[Hot Topic]

Dress up like Bugs Bunny or some recognizable character to "amuse" the kids and collect a few dollars, and you'll see just how fast the owners of the rights to those characters come down on you.

Most people don't take kindly to panhandlers, and you can learn it the hard way. A guy who eventually with his partner had their own summer television show imitated someone walking through the area. That person was so unimpressed with the imitation, he knocked the imitator on his backside.

 

[asiny]

To the OP - if you have ever spoken to those characters their costumes are likeness (i.e. a red monster, but he's not called Elmo), they usually have some form of permit attached to their costume or close at hand and they don't require, request or ask for money - it is a suggested 'tip'. As has been stated, you can apply to the city for a permit but you have to be careful how you represent yourself and how close in likeness that costume is.
For example, don't dress up as a Ghostbuster and suggest a 'tip'... Sony will C&D you real fast.