Last updated: 13 January 2005
Published in:
Managing your digital resources |
Finding and using digital media
Tags:
copyright |
photographs |
photography
Frequently asked questions about Model Release.
Please note: JISC Digital Media is unable to offer legal advice and the answers we have given are based on the best of our knowledge and practical experience. A specialist legal adviser should be able to give you more accurate guidance.
If an image is an un-posed record of an actual event and your subjects are not seen to be endorsing a product or opinion you should be able to use the image without model release.
Probably, though you should check the release first to see if there was a limit on usage. Most model release forms identify a specific destination such as a journal or book, time (June 2005 edition), geographical use (national, regional or international), usage (from single appearance to unlimited) and type of use for example editorial, advertising or PR. You will probably have to contact the model to renegotiate a new model release and get them to sign it.
This depends on the end use of the image, if these are 'news' images of events and they are being used to illustrate that event then probably not. If the image is taken out of context and used to illustrate an unrelated subject or endorse a product, service or opinion then you should obtain permission.
Another common legal release covers property. Property release forms are most commonly associated with buildings and architecture, a private building photographed from a public space can normally be used without consent provided that it does not misrepresent the building in any way. A photograph taken within the building or its grounds will require permission from the owners.
Read through the form with them and explain that it protects the subject as much as it does the photographer.
A model release should be as simple as possible and avoid any legal jargon. It should include:
Last updated: 13 January 2005
Published in:
Managing your digital resources |
Finding and using digital media
Tags:
copyright |
photographs |
photography
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++