Videographer owning copyright?

RedStorm

Is it typical for the videographer to retain rights to the video they capture? This is a line in my Terms and Conditions. I would think I own the rights since I'm hiring him to do the service.

emmyg65

Yes, it is his creative work so he should keep the copyright. You should have some release for personal use, but not the copyright itself. For example, our photographer retained copyright of all our wedding photos, but we have a personal use release so we can print them, make albums, post on Facebook, etc.

photokitty

It is common that they retain certain rights. Make sure the type of rights are clearly spelled out.

 Obviously they should have the rights to use the footage to advertise their own business, but I would not sign away the rights for them to use the footage for other commercial use - for example, can they sell if to a news station or a stock video company. I don't want my wedding to end up on a news bit about divorce.