Uploading parts of a documentary

**Russ** · 25-09-2009, 13:47

Back in 2003 I was featured on a Channel 4 documentary and was given a copy of the show on VCR. I ended up mislaying the tape and recently got on to the production company who are going to send me out another copy but on DVD.

The parts that I feature on I'm hoping to upload to my blog but was wondering if anyone knows the legal situation? I'm after clarification more than "I think that should be ok" if possible - the documentary belongs to someone else but the content I'm after is based around myself so I'm assuming I'd have some sort of rights to it? When it was filmed I signed a disclaimer allowing it to be used, not sure where I stodd on that though.

I don't want to ask the production company themselves as they're doing this as a favour and I don't want to annoy them in case they change their minds about getting me the copy.

Raistlin · 25-09-2009, 13:52

Wait until you receive the copy, then send them an email and ask if you can upload specific portions.

Probably a good idea to specify the portions you want to upload by time, for example: "1m20s starting at 10m45"

This will help them judge a) the content of what you want to use, and b) the amount of material you want to upload.

I can't comment on the legal position of you uploading without their permission, I wouldn't have thought anybody will be able to without knowing what disclaimers or release forms were signed at the time.

punky · 25-09-2009, 14:27

Normally a certain percentage comes under the doctrine of fair use. For a song its 30 seconds, but I don't know how much, if any, a documentary would be.

Ask the production company if you upload certain bits and overlay their copyright. Work with them rather than against them.

cookie_365 · 25-09-2009, 20:25

Punky, there's no such thing as 'fair use' in UK copyright law.

Russ, you'll almost certainly have no rights to use any of it on your blog without getting permission of whoever owns the copyright.

If and how much they'd be prepared to let you get away with without a asking or b paying really depends on them.

Basically, what Rob said.