Problems With Licenses from TV Stations
Recently, we have been preparing a number of opinions on licence agreements concerning programmes with media agencies’ clients’ products placement. Obviously, having a product placed is worth boasting about on one’s own website or in the leading social services. What would we like to make those wishing to use such opportunity aware of? Of the necessity to properly (i.e. fully) secure the licence entitling one to use such programme or its excerpts.
What rights may we encounter when it comes to a programme subjected to licensing? The following should be taken into account:
- videogram producer’s rights (special title held by the one who recorded a given sequence of pictures and sounds);
- copyrights (e.g. held by the designer of the interior decoration of the studio);
- neighbouring rights (e.g. held by the musicians performing the background music during a given broadcast);
- right to the voice / image held by the persons participating in a given broadcast.
It is indispensable to have all rights to a material in question covered in the obtained licence. Since, unless that is ensured, it may, unfortunately, turn out that at least partly the material is being exploited by us unlawfully…
