Discussions on the Thread "Videotaping & permission"

Wait a minute... So let me get this straight. I can video tape anyone in the public without a release form and use it for my project(s) as LONG AS i dont charge/make money on any of the material? is that right?

I own a non-profit and I would like to get some public shots of different communities and post them on my website with nothing to sell....

My pleasure. That's why we're here!

Mi Michael, I looked around and found a documet called Photographic Media Work it was just like you said, a work for hire document that simply stated that I had no rights to the copyright and then the fee for my work. Many thanks you really helped make it simple.

Hi Kolin. I am not a lawyer so I don't want to seem to be giving legal advice (and God knows this is America, the world capital for litigation).. however.. we hire lots of people to shoot things for us and we always have a standard letter of engagement that does not even touch on rights and stuff like that. it just says they agree to work x hours for y pay. Like I said, it's pretty straightforward. In any event, here's a link to a very useful site that has lots of boilerplate contracts: http://www.ispgroupinc.com/contracts/contract_samples.htm

michael wrote: Yes. You most certainly are allowed to videotape in public places. Tell your professor that the First Amendment trumps all, so long as the location is public. If you sell the video, then we are entering a different area, but for your own purposes, videotape away. Here's a link you might find helpful http://www.tutorial9.net/photography/your-rights-as-a-photographer/

Hi Michael, thanks for the post. I was trying to find a sample document to use for a video shoot. I am going to shoot a speaker at a seminar next week, my part is just to bring my equipment and record the event, they think they have a professional editing company so I will just give them the footage, unedited on DVD and I am done. I would like to limit my scope of work to just shooting, get some kinfd of release of liability should anything in the seminar be already copyrighted, etc. as well as make sure they have copy rights, not me. I also want to specify my fees. Any thoughts on where I could find a sample agreement focused on this kind of work?

Many Thanks

Kolin

Yes. You most certainly are allowed to videotape in public places. Tell your professor that the First Amendment trumps all, so long as the location is public. If you sell the video, then we are entering a different area, but for your own purposes, videotape away. Here's a link you might find helpful http://www.tutorial9.net/photography/your-rights-as-a-photographer/