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Home: Video University Forums: Tech Q & A:
copyright on shots taken while hired..

eeha
User

Jan 4, 2006, 9:35 PM

Post #1 of 3 (770 views)
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copyright on shots taken while hired..	Can't Post

I was hired to tape an event for an organization.
there were some nice hanukah candles lit there and i decided to have fun with them and took about 15 min of footage from all angles.
afew nights ago, they came handy in a memorial video i was making and the owner of that company also was there when we played the video.

he called me after and told me that those shots have copyrights on them since they were shot in our premises and you were there working for us!!!

Is he right?
i wasn't required to take those shots by them and i decided to do it for this purpose of using it as stock .... what do u guys think?

videobear
Veteran

Jan 4, 2006, 11:58 PM

Post #2 of 3 (765 views)
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Re: [eeha] copyright on shots taken while hired.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

What does your contract say? If it's a work for hire agreement, they own the rights. If you're an independent contractor, you do.

What, no contract? Oh, dear. Unsure

Time to negotiate. Explain that you feel you have some rights in the footage, but are willing to talk. Ask him what he would consider fair for a) full exclusive rights, b) full nonexclusive rights (you both own the footage), or c) your one-time use of the footage in the memorial video. It's best for any future relations with this client if you can come to an agreement.

Unless of course, he's a schmuck and you want to stick it to him. In that case, just tell him, "sorry, those shots are mine." You could get sued, but probably the worst that'll happen is you'll lose any future business from him.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

eeha
User

Jan 5, 2006, 2:50 AM

Post #3 of 3 (760 views)
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Re: [videobear] copyright on shots taken while hired.. [In reply to]	Can't Post

thanx a lot
from now on in my contracts I should mension these stuff. I never thought of it.
The guy is someone i have known for ages so i have no prob coming to an agreement with. He is just concerned about his video and shots being as unique as possible.