Clear music and image rights for a film, video or advert

Two copyrights in every track

A commercial track carries two separate copyrights: one in the song (the music and any lyrics), usually held by a music publisher, and one in the sound recording, usually held by a record label. To put the track in a film, video or advert, you need permission from both. Permission for one does not cover the other.

Commission your own music or photos

If you commission a composer, photographer or editor, you do not own what they make just because you paid for it. Take a written assignment, or a written licence that covers every use you plan.

Clear photos and footage

A photo or clip belongs to whoever took it, unless they took it as an employee in the course of their job, when the employer owns it. Get a licence from the owner before you use it, and check that its terms cover the media, territory and period of your production.

Some uses need no licence. You can photograph or film a building, or a sculpture permanently in a public place or premises open to the public, and use the result without infringing the copyright in the building or sculpture.

Someone who commissioned a photo or film for private and domestic purposes, such as a wedding, has a right not to have it shown or published. Get their consent as well as the photographer's licence before you use it.

If you use material without clearance

The owner of the song, recording or image, or an exclusive licensee, can sue you. Making or dealing in infringing copies in business, or communicating a work to the public for gain, can also be a criminal offence.