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C. Personal Release Agreements

In this section we provide and discuss personal release agreements that permit the use of a person's name and image. Personal releases are often referred to as model releases, although the term "model" can be used for anyone, not just professional models. There are two classes of personal releases: blanket releases and limited releases.

  • A blanket release permits any use of the photographic image of the person signing the release and is suitable if the company or photographer needs an unlimited right to use the image. Stock photographers who sell their photos for unlimited purposes commonly use blanket releases.
  • Celebrities and professional models usually sign limited releases that specify the particular ways their image and name may be used. If a use exceeds what's permitted under the limited release, the person can sue for breach of the agreement. For example, a model that signed a release limiting use of her image for a museum brochure sued when the photo appeared on a Miami transit card.

Later, in Section D, we will introduce two other types of releases: a release for an interview and release to use an image of building.

1. General Rules for Releases

In addition to the specific legal rules for releases discussed throughout this chapter, some general advice is helpful when dealing with release situations.

a. Get It in Writing

Although oral releases are generally valid, you should always try to get a release in writing. This way, the model can't claim he or she never agreed to the release. In addition, the terms of an oral release can be hard to remember and even harder to prove in court if a dispute arises.

b. Make It Clear

When a release is sought for a specific purpose, do not hide or misrepresent facts to get the signature. A fraudulently obtained release is invalid. For example, a model was told that his image would be used by an insurance company and signed a blanket release based upon that statement. However, a viaticals company that pays cash for life insurance policies owned by AIDS victims used the photo. A Florida court permitted the model to sue.

c. Keep It Simple

Release agreements usually do not include many of the legal provisions found in other agreements in this book. Instead, releases are usually "stripped down," and pose less likelihood of triggering a discussion or negotiation. So keep your release short and simple (see tip below).

You may find it easier to obtain a signed release if you shrink the release information to the size of a 3x5 or 5x7 card. Photographers have found that photo subjects find the smaller documents less intimidating. Some photographers reduce the material to a font size that fits on the back of a business card. However, if the contract is difficult to read, it will be less likely to be enforceable.

 

d. Get the Right Signatures

There are two requirements for the signature on a release: it must be an informed consent, which means that the person signing the release understood it; and the person signing must have the authority to grant the release.

In the majority of states, a minor is any person under 18 years of age, although in some the age may be 19 or 21. Since a minor may not understand the terms of a release, the signature of a parent or guardian is required before using a minor's name or image.

EXAMPLE: A 16-year old boy was photographed on the beach at Cape Canaveral and signed a release; his parents did not. The photo was later used on the cover of a novel about a gay adolescent. The father sued the publisher and settled out of court.

In some cases, an agent representing the person may have the authority to sign a release. For example, an agent signed a release granting an unlimited time period for use of a model 's image in a Nintendo advertisement. The model had intended that the image only be used for one year. A court held that the agent had the authority to sign the release on behalf of the model and the release was binding.

It is always preferable to have a release signed by the subject, not an agent. When dealing with an agent, seek an assurance that the agent has the legal authority to sign. This can be done by including the statement, "I am the authorized agent for [name of model]" above the agent's signature line.

Get a release signed ASAP. It is sometimes difficult to track down a subject after a photo has been created and there is less incentive for the subject to sign a release later at a later date. Therefore, most photographers obtain releases prior to or directly after a photo session or when the model is paid.

 

Consideration: Paying for a Release

A contract is legally binding only if each party obtains something of value (referred to as "consideration") in return for performance of obligations. For this reason, releases traditionally stipulated payment of a nominal amount such as one dollar. However, most courts now take a modern approach to contract law and accept the fact that consideration can be implied and an actual payment is not mandatory. Each release in this chapter establishes that the contract has met the consideration requirement by beginning with the statement, "For consideration which I acknowledge...." However, to fortify this position, you may wish to make a payment --even if nominal-- to the person signing the release and indicate the amount of the payment somewhere in the release.

2. Unlimited Personal Release Agreement

The following form is an unlimited or blanket release agreement. It permits you to use the model's image and name in all forms of media throughout the world forever.

A tear-out copy of this form is in the Appendix at the end of this book. A digital version is on the forms disk.

disk
The Unlimited Personal Release Agreement is on the forms disk under the file name PRSRLSUL.

 

Unlimited Personal Release Agreement

Grant

For consideration which I acknowledge, I irrevocably grant to _______________________ ("Company") and Company's assigns, licensees and successors the right to use my image and name in all forms and media including composite or modified representations for all purposes, including advertising, trade or any commercial purpose throughout the world and in perpetuity. I waive the right to inspect or approve versions of my image used for publication or the written copy that may used in connection with the images.

Release

I release Company and Company's assigns, licensees and successors from any claims that may arise regarding the use of my image including any claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, or infringement of moral rights, rights of publicity or copyright. Company is permitted, although not obligated, to include my name as a credit in connection with the image.

Company is not obligated to utilize any of the rights granted in this Agreement.

I have read and understood this agreement and I am over the age of 18. This Agreement expresses the complete understanding of the parties.

Name: ___________________________________________ Date: _________________

Signature: _______________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________

Witness Signature: _________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Consent [include if the person is under 18]

I am the parent or guardian of the minor named above. I have the legal right to consent to and do consent to the terms and conditions of this model release.

Parent/Guardian Name: ________________________________ Date: _______________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Address: ___________________________________________________

Witness Signature: _______________________________________________________

3. Limited Personal Release Agreement

The following form is a limited personal release agreement. It allows you to use the model's name or image only for the purposes specified in the agreement.

A tear-out copy of this form is in the Appendix at the end of this book. A digital version is on the forms disk.

disk
The Limited Personal Release Agreement is on the forms disk under the file name PRSRELLT.

 

Limited Personal Release Agreement

Grant

For consideration which I acknowledge, I grant to ___________________________________________ ("Company") and Company's assigns, licensees and successors, the right to use my image for the following purposes:

_________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________in the following territory

___________________________________________for a period of ____________ year(s) (the "Term").

I grant the right to use my name and image for the purposes listed above in all forms and media including composite or modified representations and waive the right to inspect or approve versions of my image used for publication or the written copy that may be used in connection with the images.

Payment

(select if appropriate)

____ For the rights granted during the Term, Company shall pay $ ______________ upon execution of this release.

Renewal

(select if appropriate)

____ Company may renew this agreement under the same terms and conditions for ________________________

year(s) provided that Licensee makes payment of $ ____________ at the time of renewal.

Release

I release Company and Company's assigns, licensees and successors from any claims that may arise regarding the use of my image including any claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, or infringement of moral rights, rights of publicity or copyright. Company is permitted, although not obligated, to include my name as a credit in connection with the image.

Name: _________________________________________________ Date: ____________________

Signature: ______________________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________

Witness Signature: _______________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Consent [include if the person is under 18]

I am the parent or guardian of the minor named above. I have the legal right to consent to and do consent to the terms and conditions of this model release.

Parent/Guardian Name: _________________________________________ Date: ____________ Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Address: _______________________________________________________

Witness Signature: ____________________________________________________________

4. Explanation for Limited and Unlimited Personal Releases

  • The grant paragraph establishes the rights granted by the person. In the unlimited agreement, a "blanket" grant is used. This grant is broad and intended to encompass all potential uses whether informational, commercial or otherwise. In the limited agreement, the uses must be listed--for example, "For use on the cover of trade book and for related advertisements." This release also has limitations regarding territory and term. Insert the appropriate geographic region and term --for example, "North America with a two-year term. "
  • The release is the person's promise not to sue the company for legal claims such as libel and invasion of privacy.
  • If the person is a minor, the parent or guardian should sign where it is marked parent/ guardian consent (see Section C1). Since issues about release authenticity often crop up many years after a photo was made, a witness should sign the agreement to verify the person's signature or the signature of the parent. The witness should be an adult. An employee or assistant is suitable.

 

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