FAA Loosens Drone Restrictions for Film and TV

The Federal Aviation Administration has exempted six photo and video companies from its tight restrictions on commercial drones, in what the department described as a first step toward allowing the film and television industry use of unmanned aircraft systems. Regulations covering drones have become an increasingly touchy topic as the FAA takes years to craft long-promised rules, frustrating both the industry and its growing pool of customers. The companies, which coordinated with the Motion Picture Association of America on the exemption request, had to demonstrate their operations wouldn’t pose safety risks. The FAA encouraged other industry trade groups to work with members on similar petitions.

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.