Yes..It is another “Can I use” question.

Aaron Little wrote on 5/2/2005, 5:25 PM
In addition to the video thing I run a Mixed Martial Arts gym (think UFC, No Holds Barred, cage fighting). I have a very active competition team and as such have developed friendships with other fighters from all over the US.

I have recently been asked to put together highlight videos for several different people. These highlight videos would be used by the fighters to send to promoters to help them get fights and to send to potential sponsors.

My concern is in the use of footage they will send me. It will be from fights they have fought in the past. Some of it is footage that their team shot and some of it is from videos produced by the event staff.

Most (read all) highlight vids that are floating around today use whatever footage and whatever music they like. It is very important to me to stay above board on all of my productions. What do I do regarding the footage of their fights?

Thanks,

Aaron

Comments

PossibilityX wrote on 5/2/2005, 5:45 PM
Aaron, I answer this not as a lawyer or a professional production guy, but just as someone who wants to avoid hassles with my own productions.

Somebody shot the video footage you'll be using.

If I'd shot it and you wanted to use it, I'd want you to ask my permission.

And, if I were in your shoes---about to use footage supplied to me----I'd want to know where it came from and get permission in writing from the videographer (or whoever owns the rights to the footage) before dropping it into my own production.

People are touchy these days about copyright issues. You might be able to get away with using footage without written permission, but it's kinda like getting into the ring without a mouthpiece or without warming up properly---needlessly risky.

Just my 2 cents.
p@mast3rs wrote on 5/2/2005, 5:49 PM
By all means, make sure you get everything in writing or end up in a rear naked choke.