Movies for TV - Early Television Foundation

COPYRIGHT AND RELEASES 369
television it is said that more than one divorce was caused by the
sight of an erring spouse out with a paramour! The companies
concerned were reportedly taken to court, but the judge ruled that
by attending the public place of entertainment the plaintiff became
part of the public scene.
Most television stations and film studios carry a large store of
stock shots. These quite often contain a high percentage of old news
films. On occasion some of these shots may be used in an entertainment
program and it can sometimes lead to trouble since someone
who was present at the event and is recorded in the movie may
object.
The whole problem of releases and legal liability is beyond the
scope of control of the average reader. The wise operator gets a
good lawyer and puts the problems up to him and devotes his time
to producing good television programs. One last word of advice
at the risk of repetition is always get a signed release to use the
person's picture over the air or on film while he is there. That means
don't take a picture, then after it's developed decide to get a release.
The subject has probably gone back to the other end of the earth
where he came from, by then. And finding him will be difficult. The
advice about the release also goes for inanimate objects, which do
not come under the heading of literary works or music and which
you want to use on your program. Merely having the item in your
possession is not enough.
The question of royalties is still complex. At the time of writing,
musicians are not generally allowed by their union to record for
films to be used on television. Also films made recently are not
licensed for TV use by the musicians. It was only a short time ago
that musicians were allowed to record for kinescope recordings.
The great convenience of being able to audition shows on a piece
of film rather than setting up the whole show with its subsequent
expense every time a deal was "hot" finally swung the union to the
point of agreeing.