fren

Legal Guide for Videographers: 6 Useful Things to Have

Video content is becoming more and more important for businesses. However, as with any creative industry out there, video making comes with a series of legal aspects you need to take in consideration. Whether you are a professional videographer who makes videos for others or even someone who films content regularly for their own business, here’s a little legal guide to make sure you are protected while doing so.

Of course, please take this as legal information and not legal advice. If you have any questions regarding the legal aspects of creating video content, send me an email at info@artylaw.ca.

 

#1 Service agreement

Yes, as usual, this is the first element I mention in all legal guides I write (you can check out the ones for photographers, stylists, and online influencers), but it really is the foundation of any service-based business. If you’d like to learn more about the importance of having a proper service agreement, you can check out this blog post I wrote. When it comes to video making, your contract should include standards elements such as a definition of the services, fees, as well as more video specific clauses such as clauses regarding postponement because of meteorological conditions.

 

#2 Subcontractor agreement

Video making requires a variety of skills you will most likely hire someone for if you create videos professionally. Of course, you will need to put that business relationship in writing. One of the most important things to keep in mind when you are working with subcontractors is making sure they give you the proper intellectual property rights, so that your own client can use the final video content.

 

#3 Location release form

A location release form will be necessary if you plan on filming on location. Make sure you include when you will need to access the premises as well as whether or not you can make modifications to the place.

 

#4 Insurance

This is something that is particularly important in video making, If you are renting spaces for filming, chances are the owners will ask you to provide them with a liability insurance certificate. Because video making can get very expensive, you should also consider getting insurance for your equipment.

 

#5 Taxes

You are required, in Quebec, to collect taxes if you have made more than 30,000$ over the last 4 consecutive civil trimesters. However, you should consider registering before even hitting that amount, as that will allow you to ask for a reimbursement of sales tax paid over your expenses (in this case, video equipment, legal fees, website hosting, etc)

 

#6 Third-party intellectual property

Third-party intellectual property is something you will most likely stumble upon at some point if you create video content. Whether you want to include a song in your video or your client asks you to include a particular photo in the final product, you need to make sure you have the proper intellectual property rights (a license in this case) to do so.

 

If you have any additional legal questions you would like to ask me regarding video making do not hesitate to send me an email at info@artylaw.ca or click on the link below to schedule a consultation.

About the author