Earl is right, Mike, and the recent controversy over a famous poster of then-senator Obama is proof that the lines are too gray to draw.
Photographer Mannie Garcia filed suit against the Associated Press for allowing his photo of Obama to be used for the poster without giving Garcia proper compensation. AP says Garcia was hired to shoot the image, so it belongs to AP, Garcia claims that all images are his, and AP just bought the use. http://nppa.org/news_and_events/news/2009/07/garcia.html
However, I know a few wedding videographers that have it stated specifically in their contracts that THEY own the footage, and they have the right to do with it as they will. They have used some of the images for stock footage contracts, for instance.
It’s all in how you make the agreements up front, and it’s a good idea to get it all in writing before you deliver the work.
check out Videomaker’s “What’s Legal” column for some advice on this and other legal issue concerning video production. http://www.videomaker.com/learn/business/legal/
