Video Rights?

BustedKnucklefilms · Nov 13, 2014

This has never really been an issue before this year but the bigger these sports get the more lawyers and greedy people start to get involved.
(warning this is not about any certain race series or event. Just a general issue that keeps coming up)

For the first time in my 9 years of filming I was told that I could not film at an event. I was pissed beyond measure. I didn't show up for a number of their events after that.
Now lately it seems everyone wants what I work hard for and they want it for FREE! It takes a ton of work, time, and money to do what we do.

Question: Is it fair for an event promoter to demand all the footage I shoot at their event?

If no paperwork is signed. Doesn't the property owner retain all rights unless signed over to someone else?

So if event promoter doesnt have something signed by property owner giving them exclusive rights they should be SOL right?

Thoughts?

RustyC · Nov 13, 2014

From the Dec 15 1791 Bill of Rights. Ole #1 Freedom of the press.

Weather good or bad we have the right. :dblthumb:

BustedKnucklefilms · Nov 13, 2014

RustyC said:
From the Dec 15 1791 Bill of Rights. Ole #1 Freedom of the press.

Weather good or bad we have the right.

Private Property is a whole different ball game.

John Galbreath Jr. · Nov 13, 2014

I believe Trucks Gone Wold has been doing that at Summertown for a few years now. Perhaps, only because it has not been challenged. I would think there is legal precedent set that should be easy enough to find. Not in our sport, but perhaps,football, auto racing, music concerts, etc.

BustedKnucklefilms · Nov 13, 2014

Trucks Gone WiId- Doesn't have the park sign anything. You are right. No one has called their bluff before.
They dont really put on an event. The park does. They pay the money for TGW to show up put their name on the event drink beer and video.

poolman · Nov 13, 2014

I would think every park would WANT you to film everything you can. The more people that can see whats going on the bigger the next event! There's lots of events I didn't know about until YouTube?? Just my 0.2

Jeff69 · Nov 13, 2014

It sounds like bullshit to me. If they ask for your footage than they should ask for everyone with a phone because we all take videos when we ride or go to events

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BustedKnucklefilms · Nov 13, 2014

It is Never the Park that does the asking. Only the promoters. I have no problem with parks. I was just saying that they have the rights unless they are given to another party in writing.

BustedKnucklefilms · Nov 13, 2014

Jeff69 said:
It sounds like bullshit to me. If they ask for your footage than they should ask for everyone with a phone because we all take videos when we ride or go to events
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They arent worried about the people taking vids with their phones. Just the people that they assume are profiting from their event. IE people with big channels.

poolman · Nov 13, 2014

poolman said:
I would think every park would WANT you to film everything you can. The more people that can see whats going on the bigger the next event! There's lots of events I didn't know about until YouTube?? Just my 0.2

Ok then why wouldn't every promoter want the video out there?

al1tonyota · Nov 13, 2014

If a series as big as ultra 4 doesn't make you give them your video then none of the rock bouncing series can either if these parks don't understand that publicity is what makes them money then pass on that ride/park! Same with the drivers if you don't win a lot or get put on the youtubes then not many people will notice you!
Adam Lee (rights reserved) :flipoff1:

Speeding · Nov 13, 2014

Without media there would've zero growth in any sport. Don't go film thier stuff, thier loss.

LandSpeeder · Nov 13, 2014

BustedKnucklefilms said:
Question: Is it fair for an event promoter to demand all the footage I shoot at their event?

If they single you out, then that's unfair.
If they confiscate everyone's phone upon leaving the park... not unfair. End of story.
Youtube is a social website, just like any media. Some people are just fortunate to make money off it. No single photographer or promoter should limit anyone else.

kmcminn · Nov 13, 2014

Seems like these promoters maybe "Biting the hand that feeds them".

BustedKnucklefilms · Nov 13, 2014

poolman said:
Ok then why wouldn't every promoter want the video out there?

Because TGW doesn't like competition. They want a copy of every video i upload to youtube so they can put it on their channel and FB.

LandSpeeder · Nov 13, 2014

See, at this stage in our society, who, exactly, IS media? Anyone who shares a photo or video is media by the shear definition. And who hasn't shared a photo or video in the last hour... really?! Hell, I have and I don't even have instagram.

kmcminn · Nov 13, 2014

Which series is it? This kind of publicity will make this work itself out I can assure you.

BustedKnucklefilms · Nov 13, 2014

None of the Rock Bouncing Series are demanding video. One did tell me I couldnt film and then their camera crew asked me to leave a Campfire with drivers because they were "shooting".

Ultra4 is a good point. Dave Cole has never asked me for anything but advice.

LandSpeeder · Nov 13, 2014

BustedKnucklefilms said:
None of the Rock Bouncing Series are demanding video. One did tell me I couldnt film and then their camera crew asked me to leave a Campfire with drivers because they were "shooting".

Ultra4 is a good point. Dave Cole has never asked me for anything but advice.

You said it wasn't a park, but it sounds to me like it was a park.
Or am I confused as to who had the film crew hired?