I'm working on a documentary and was wondering if anyone knew the laws concerning shooting video off the web. Example: If I point the camera at my laptop and shoot a video from Youtube...what are the rights associated with this? Do I need to get a release from Youtube? The folks that made the video? Do I need to pay them, or is it considered public property? Any info or leads as to who to speak with would be appreciated.
Shooting web content.
- Thread starter petromak
- Start date
Are you sure? There was a time when filmmakers needed archival footage from broadcasters (which cost a small fortune) and got around the licence laws by filming their TV screens. This was considered "altering the image" for legal purposes and so when you look at older docs with news footage shoot directly off tv screens, chances are that no money exchanged hands. It doesn't look as nice as getting the footage from the broadcaster, but it certainly helps lower budget films get made.
In the case of YouTube, they are essentially broacasting content without a licence and as such why wouldn't the content on their site be considered "public property" and as a consequence why would you need a license?
In the case of YouTube, they are essentially broacasting content without a licence and as such why wouldn't the content on their site be considered "public property" and as a consequence why would you need a license?
grinner
Carbonite Member
you cannot use copyrighted material without written permission.
I youtube my show for viral promotion. It in no way offers it for free use.
You are best off shooting what ya need, youtubing it and shooting that for effect.
If broadcasting it, know that youtubes logo is trademarked and will need to be worked with or signed off on.
I youtube my show for viral promotion. It in no way offers it for free use.
You are best off shooting what ya need, youtubing it and shooting that for effect.
If broadcasting it, know that youtubes logo is trademarked and will need to be worked with or signed off on.
Steve House
Veteran
By that logic, you could record the Super Bowl off of broadcast as it arrives in your home and then sell CD copies on eBay. Try it and see what happens <grin>. But why do you think that YouTube is publishing without a license? There's no requirement for a copyright notice to be superimposed or displayed on the screen for the copyright itself to be valid. AFAIK, YouTube responds very quickly by removing a posting when it is brought to their attention that someone has posted copyright material without proper permission. And assuming that they were broadcasting without clearance - the fact that an infringer publishes unlicensed content does not cancel the copyright and cast it into the public domain. Sorry Charlie, that tuna don't swim.
bikefilms
Well-known member
petromak,
You should look into the Internet Archive. Most if not all content available there is under new, progressive copywrite law. Creative Commons licenses usually allow for the use of content.
If you recorded the Internet Archive's webisite, or YouTube, you should get a release signed.
-andrew
You should look into the Internet Archive. Most if not all content available there is under new, progressive copywrite law. Creative Commons licenses usually allow for the use of content.
If you recorded the Internet Archive's webisite, or YouTube, you should get a release signed.
-andrew