subject: When Can I Use Rights Managed Video? [print this page] Let's face itLet's face it. When it comes to putting together a video production, sorting through what you want to use in your final product versus what you can afford to use can become confusing. There are all kinds of rights associated with available stock footage video and sorting through the mess can leave one with a bad taste in their mouths. But the demarcation line about when you can use copyrighted material versus royalty free material is usually pretty clear.
There are really only two types of videos. Rights managed, or copyrighted material and royalty free.
Royalty free simply means that nothing has to change hands in terms of money to use the video clips. There is no financial responsibility involved, usually just an acknowledgment in the credits. It doesn't matter if the video clip is directly used in the production or whether it gets used in a background capacity, the use of the video is free for use and distribution. The important part is the recognition. The video clip may be public domain, or it could be from a videographer who is trying to gain recognition, having that recognition in the credits may not be much now, but it could lead to more work later.
Rights managed, or copyrighted material is a totally different thing. It doesn't matter whether your production is a for-profit movie production or a non-profit promotional video, if you're using any kind of clip that has a copyright, you'll need to fulfill whatever obligations are necessary. These videos are made or produced by a wide variety of sources from private individuals all the way through huge Hollywood studios. Using any part of a video would require some kind of contractual payment. Often, there is a distribution cost, a production cost, and even a per play cost involved. Having to work out a contract with each individual company can take a long time, that's why it simplifies thing for a company to have bulk contracts already in place.
While royalty free stock videos may very well suit your needs, there are times when you need that specific clip. Virtually every professional sports clip available has some type of copyright on it, and anything having to do with newscasts, TV shows, movies and even online productions involves some form of copyrights. You can save yourself a lot of headaches if you work with a company that can supply rights managed videos.
