Schwarzenegger tackles paparazzi

Lohan suffered minor injuries during
an incident earlier this year
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Paparazzi photographers who commit assault while chasing
celebrities now face hefty fines under California law.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the
bill which
triples the damages people can win from paparazzi if they are assaulted
during a shoot.
Several celebrities have had accidents
while being chased by photographers.
Actress Lindsay Lohan was cut and bruised
after a
photographer allegedly drove his van into her car. He faces assault
with a deadly weapon charges.

The law would allow people who are
victims of paparazzi assaults to sue for up to three times the damages
they suffered.
They could also ask for a court order
requiring the photographer to give up any income earned from the
pictures involved.
Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez who proposed
the measure, said: "This bill hits the paparazzi where it hurts - the
wallet.
"Money is their motivation, so taking
away their money will be the solution."
Schwarzenegger is no stranger to the
paparazzi
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She added that the bill would protect
Hollywood stars as well as bystanders who might be injured in chases
involving paparazzi.
The law will come into effect on 1
January 2006. Mr
Schwarzenegger - himself a former Hollywood star - signed the bill last
week.
In August, actress Scarlett Johansson had
a minor crash while allegedly being followed by paparazzi.
Legally Blonde star Reese Witherspoon
said she was
chased by photographers who she believed were trying to force her from
the road in April.
No charges or injuries resulted from either
cas
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