Do I need release forms to do street interviews for YouTube??

MrChanOnline

MrChanOnline

Member
Hey guys,

Hoping someone could help me out on this matter.

A friend of mine brought up an interesting point to me today. He said because of the type of videos I plan on doing for my channel, I will need participants to sign a waiver/release form. I am doing street 'interviews' on topics such as dating, pop quizzes etc etc (NO political issues lol).

BEFORE going on camera, I explain to interviewees' what the topics will be about and my usual question to interviewees' is, "would you mind if we use this footage for YouTube?". Of course, all of whom feature in the vids answer "Yes".. Not on cam but they do give verbal permission, some very happily.

Now, the question, which I mentioned above is, do I need participants to sign a release form in order to use footage for YouTube? Also, is it enough that they give verbal permission to use footage or should I have it on video that they agree?

Would appreciate it if somebody could shed some light on this matter!

Thanks
 
MrChanOnline said:
Hey guys,

Hoping someone could help me out on this matter.

A friend of mine brought up an interesting point to me today. He said because of the type of videos I plan on doing for my channel, I will need participants to sign a waiver/release form. I am doing street 'interviews' on topics such as dating, pop quizzes etc etc (NO political issues lol).

BEFORE going on camera, I explain to interviewees' what the topics will be about and my usual question to interviewees' is, "would you mind if we use this footage for YouTube?". Of course, all of whom feature in the vids answer "Yes".. Not on cam but they do give verbal permission, some very happily.

Now, the question, which I mentioned above is, do I need participants to sign a release form in order to use footage for YouTube? Also, is it enough that they give verbal permission to use footage or should I have it on video that they agree?

Would appreciate it if somebody could shed some light on this matter!

Thanks
Click to expand...
I'd say to have some sort of written permission is a safe bet. You never know when someone wants to be a jerk and report your video for using their image "without their permission."

Then again, I'm sure that'll hardly happen.
 
Super Pawsitive said:
I'd say to have some sort of written permission is a safe bet. You never know when someone wants to be a jerk and report your video for using their image "without their permission."

Then again, I'm sure that'll hardly happen.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your response.

It is best to be safe.. I just wonder if it would matter to my channel as it's in the startup phase at the moment and isn't reaching many viewers.. would be different if it were national tv.

I read somewhere that I'm able to use footage without the need for consent if it's for the purpose of 'news, public affairs and sports'. Would discussing social topics like dating fall under any of those categories?

And also what about monetisation of videos put on YouTube, would this be classed as commercial use?
 
If you have the camera rolling when they say "yes" then keep that footage as documentation of their permission. I imagine it would only be a rare occasion if and when someone causes a stink about it. And if someone does, you could just use the built-in tools to blur their face.
 
definitely need a consent form if you are going to film them. one for permission to use the footage, two to remove any entitlement they want from funds you earn from that video.
 
I've heard from some other bigger interviewing channels, albeit not like super big like 1 million but tens of thousands that they do verbal consent through camera. In not sure the technicality and legality of this though. Signed and written is definitely a safer bet for you but that may deter people from participating
 
Thanks for replies, everyone.

Read a little more into it and found out apparently, YouTube IS classed as "commercial use", if videos are being monetized. The source was pretty credible and even if not, I guess it wouldn't harm to have release/consent forms ready.

Only thing is, as with what Chris said, it may deter people from taking part in my vids.
So my plan is to have them verbally agree before the filming starts, then sign the release after filming.

What do you guys think?
 
I think that it is better for you to learn "best practices" now and get in the habit of doing so. Signed release forms are much easier to utilize if you wind up in court.
 
markkaz said:
I think that it is better for you to learn "best practices" now and get in the habit of doing so. Signed release forms are much easier to utilize if you wind up in court.
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Most definitely. I'm happy to take the sound advice given by you guys and do so to avoid grief in the future lol

Not to sound ignorant but what is the worst that can happen? Have the video removed? Can I be sued for damages? Im from the UK.
 
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