New Regulations To Impact Drone Owners

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Drones are expected to be one of the 'it' tech toys this Christmas. But starting next Monday, there will be new regulations that drone owners will have to follow before flying one -- or else risk steep fines and prison time.

Many drones aren't toys. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, they're unmanned aircraft systems -- and as such, they'll need to be registered.

Owners of any drone that weighs more than about nine ounces -- even if it's homemade, even if it's just in your yard -- will have to fill in an online form with their name, email and postal address, and hand over $5.

Lavon Phillips runs the 165-member Rotor-E Club Drone Group in South Jersey and tells us on Skype that he doesn't mind these new rules one bit.

"Some of these devices are weighing in at 5, 6, 7 pounds and flying at 30, 40 mph. Absolutely, I'd like to see some registration. You bet," Phillips said.

The FAA notes that some popular smaller drones -- TSQ Heli Max; Air Hogs Millennium Falcon and Helix Quadcopter; UDI Discovery; and Sky Viper -- are under the weight limit and don't need registration, unlike the Parrot Bebop and 3D Robotic Solo.