Permissions
A. Permission isâ¦
Permission is the process of getting written consent from a copyright holder to use his/her creative work. If you want to broadcast video, media, or images of any type to a commercial audience, obtaining permission to use the copyrighted work is crucial. Even when the work is going to be used noncomercially, seeking permission is generally a good idea.
Though you may only be showcasing your creative work on a small scale, you should ensure that you have all of the necessary permission and release forms straightened out before you proceed. As the author of a creative work, yourself, it is important that you develop and maintain a good reputation for respecting the rights of other creators.
Works protected under certain Creative Commons licenses already give others the ability to make use of the work, subject to limited restrictions. In such cases, asking for permission may not be necessary. However, be sure that your use will conform to the licenseâs requirements before proceeding.
Find out more about using works licensed under Creative Commons by exploring the Creative Commons website.
B. Permission is notâ¦
If you do not obtain permission for the copyrighted work used, you may be infringing upon (violating) the ownerâs rights to control their copyrighted work, and you may be taken to court. In certain situations, Fair Use may provide a defense to allegations of copyright infringement. Keep in mind that while you may believe your use of copyrighted materials qualifies as a fair use, the copyright owner, broadcast service, or judge hearing the infringement case may not. Getting permission to use a copyrighted work before proceeding remains the safest option.
C. Obtaining permissionâ¦
Obtaining permission to use a copyrighted work involves three simple steps: 1. Contact the copyright holder 2. Negotiate a price or agreement 3. Get the agreement in writing
Often, it takes a few months to get permission from a copyright holder. For this reason, it makes sense to plan ahead. When looking for footage to legally and professionally use in your work, you should consider using reputable stock photo, video or music houses. At stock houses, you pay a low fee, and the company negotiates the necessary permissions and agreements for you. Many musicians and artists also enjoy collaborating on creative works at low cost. Some people use Craigslist to find musicians and artists for this purpose.