Silver Spring, Md., where I spent a lot of time as a kid, now has a "revitalized" downtown area, where, as it turns out, you are not allowed to take photographs. Why? The main business street, though it was built and paid for with taxpayer money, was "vacated" by the county and leased to a private developer, who now manages the space. This says a lot about the demise of the commons and of public space in the U.S., I think. The photographer in question comments: "I wonder if people know they traded their rights for a Potbelly’s and a Starbucks" (source: http://snipr.com/1nmvg). Also see the discussion at http://flickr.com/groups/dcphotorights/

Once again, citizen's rights take it in the shorts for the benefit of the mighty corporation.

Also note that the corporation's explanation -- as if it were the most natural thing in the world -- is that they are afraid people might take pictures and then use them to say something bad about the company.

Well there more to public streets than whatever the developer says. If it acts like a public street then it probably remains one. I would like to see a court rule on this.