By Lisa Callif and Chris Perez, Partners at Donaldson Callif Perez LLPAs an independent creator, you’ve probably had that moment where you watch a great movie, hear an amazing song, or read an inspiring book and think, “I’d love to use that in my own project!” Whether it’s a catchy tune, a powerful scene, or a clever line, incorporating these elements can really bring your vision to life. But here’s the thing—creating an independent production involves many creative and logistical decisions, including the critical task of clearing intellectual property (IP) rights for any materials you want to include in your project. Whether you’re producing a scripted film, documentary, or any creative work you want to distribute to the public, understanding the various types of IP and the permissions required is essential to avoid legal liability. This quick guide will walk you through the rights clearance process—figuring out what kind of intellectual property you are using, who owns the material, whether you need permission to use it, and who can help along the way.What type of IP are you using? Is it copyright, trademark, or unprotected material?The first step is to figure out which type of IP you are using. This involves determining if the material is protected by copyright, trademark', or if it falls within a category of materials that are unprotected. 'American Animals'film-grab.netIs it a copyrighted work? Copyrighted materials are original creations that someone has put out into the world, such as a photograph, song, movie, book, or piece...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Thursday, 29 August, 2024