Legal
Stuff You Need to Know
How to Safely Use Someone’s Likeness in Your Social Media Video
It’s safe to say that almost everyone is on social media. We post videos of ourselves and our friends often without thinking about it. But what happens when that video goes viral and suddenly becomes a source of revenue? How can we avoid the legal complications that might accompany such success?
Fair Use Limitations – Best Practices for Shooting Video
Years ago, I was on a team of shooters on a wedding reality series produced for a regional lifestyle network.
What’s Legal: When Are Background Sounds With A Copyright In Video...
The scenario is simple: background music, either live or recorded, is playing while you are videotaping a scene. Explaining the law in regards to...
Errors and omissions — covering your bases for inaccuracies
Creating a documentary or other non-fiction video content often requires hours of research, painstaking attention to detail, and ultimately a desire to find and expose some truth.
Freebooting: What to do if someone steals your video
In a nutshell
Freebooting is when someone steals your content and uploads it to the web, and it’s a violation of copyright lawYour best defense...
What You Can Do When Your Video is Misused Online
Cyberbullying and nonconsensual pornography (otherwise known as ârevenge pornâ) are two of the most common ways in which videos are misused online to harm...
Production insurance for video, film and photography
Just as you wouldn’t drive a car without insurance, you should also never shoot without it either.
Taking stock of your stock footage
Much like crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter or Indiegogo have created a platform for individuals to fund projects or receive crowdsourced investments, stock footage websites...
Everything you need to know about how to copyright your video
Over the years, the U.S. Copyright Office has modified its rules for registering literary works, software, musical works and accompanying words or lyrics, dramatic...
Video Courses
Starting a Video Business
If you're thinking about going from amateur status to professional video producer but you're not sure where to start, this course is for you....
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What's New
Drones and wildfires are a dangerous mix
It may be tempting to use your drone to capture footage of a fire. However, distractions in the FTA can be perilous for emergency responders.
When do you need a model release form?
Whether you’re working on a documentary, hip-hop music video, social media ad or anything in between, remember that if you’re going to be recording people, make sure they sign a model release form. This basic-but-crucial step gives you permission to use footage of that...
Privacy concerns in the era of drones
Note: This article provides general information, not legal advice. Consult a local attorney with any questions.
Drones afford many benefits, some quite extraordinary, including assisting with aerial mapping, education, real estate and cropland management, urban planning, power line and pipeline inspection, wildfire management, disaster response...
What you need to know about video production and the law
When you start any business, you should know the legalities of the business. It is difficult enough to set up a business with suitable equipment, personnel, infrastructure, marketing, and customers or clients without having to worry about legal liabilities. The same is true in...
What is an entertainment attorney and what do they do?
Sometimes, people want to know how they can videotape in a public place, or adapt a story or a song or a commercial film to make a new movie. Sometimes, they are looking for an agent or contacts to help them distribute their production. This is where an entertainment attorney steps in.
Production insurance for video, film and photography
Just as you wouldn’t drive a car without insurance, you should also never shoot without it either.
SAG-AFTRA: Should you hire union? Here’s what New York labor attorney...
Your decision to work with SAG-AFTRA or other unions will directly impact your talent pool, budget, daily schedule, overall timeline and many other factors.
Taking stock of your stock footage
Much like crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter or Indiegogo have created a platform for individuals to fund projects or receive crowdsourced investments, stock footage websites...
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Public domain: What’s theirs is sometimes yours
When does a copyright enter the public domain? We get this question all the time. We'd love to say, If published after this date...
How does fair use apply to fan fiction video?
Can you legally create and distribute fan fiction that uses existing plots and characters from your favorite books, shows and movies? And if so, to what extent and under what circumstances?
The importance of video release forms when recording people
Whether you’re working on a documentary, hip hop music video, or social media ad, certain components are key. If you’re recording people, you must make sure they sign a release form.
Everything you need to know about starting an LLC
Admittedly, determining how your business will be organized is not nearly as exciting as picking your company name, creating a logo or building a...
What You Can Do When Your Video is Misused Online
Cyberbullying and nonconsensual pornography (otherwise known as ârevenge pornâ) are two of the most common ways in which videos are misused online to harm...
How to Safely Use Someone’s Likeness in Your Social Media Video
It’s safe to say that almost everyone is on social media. We post videos of ourselves and our friends often without thinking about it. But what happens when that video goes viral and suddenly becomes a source of revenue? How can we avoid the legal complications that might accompany such success?
