Hi,

Wondering what is the normal practice with this. We normally have a clause in the contract asking the client to indicate if they don't want us to use their videos at our website. A high proportion, given the choice, do say "No".

So what do you do? Do you give them a choice at all? Do you make it explicit in the contract? Or do you require in the contract that they give you permission to show off your work?

Don't know what the legal situation is (I suspect it's a grey area under Australian law). But I do think it's ethically right to give clients a choice...

Its part of our contract that we can use all footage for promotional purposes however we also respect clients privacy if needed, one client even had it announced during the reception that they did not want photographs or footage appearing on Facebook etc. so we have never shown the footage on the internet. shame

Our contract says we have permissions to use it for portfolio and promotional use. If they specifically ask us not to use it on the web we would honour their request (though that's never happened).

If you specifically give people the opportunity to opt out they are more likely to do it than if they have to go to a lot of effort to ask you not to do it.

Mine too ....my contract allows the client to make copies of their DVD material but also gives us the right to use their footage for demo and promotional purposes..Again if the client whines, I won't use the footage..I had a groom who was an undercover cop so he specifically asks not to put footage online which is fair enough.

Putting the clause in your contract makes thing easier than trying to get hold of brides to ask permission everytime and most are happy with the condition!!

Chris