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View Full Version : Copyright Question: Using Public Uploaded Non-Commercial Video

Xom3
7th January 2009, 15:28
Hi - I hope my question qualifies as a 'business query', since I am in the business of making [as of yet, non-profit making] short films. The project in mind is a 'reality film/documentary', for display to anyone who may be interested in seeing it.

My question to those versed in copyright law is:-

What are the rules in obtaining and re-publishing video footage as uploaded by the public?

For example, let's say one was to download non-commercial homemade material from a video sharing website and use that footage in a film.
It seems 'intellectual property rights' may automatically stamp some form of 'copyrighted' on anything created and published these days, but what are the realities in this area?

Footage from the likes of YouTube is routinely displayed in commercial productions such as TV shows, short films and feature films - and in many cases it would seem doubtful with the permission of the creator/uploader [who may or may not object].

Thank you in advance for any insight and information in this area.
obscure
8th January 2009, 08:48
It seems 'intellectual property rights' may automatically stamp some form of 'copyrighted' on anything created and published these days, but what are the realities in this area? The realities are that you are correct. Youtube (and the net in general) is just the same as any other publishing medium. You can't take material from the Radio Times, Total Film or a TV show without the copyright owners permission and the same applies with videos on the internet, unless you specifically know that the copyright owner has granted permission.

Footage from the likes of YouTube is routinely displayed in commercial productions such as TV shows, short films and feature films - and in many cases it would seem doubtful with the permission of the creator/uploader [who may or may not object].
What are you basing this assumption on? Do you have any experience working in television. Have you seen the processes that TV and film companies go through to secure rights for items?