What is a Model Release Review?
A model release is a legal contract that specifies the person appearing in images or videos agrees to how their likeness is being used and for what purposes. To prevent legal disputes, a model release needs to be reviewed so that all its terms are clear and specific.
Read the rest of this article for key terms to review in a model release, general tips for reviewing it, and how you can benefit from hiring an experienced lawyer to conduct an in-depth contract review.
What Key Terms Should You Review in a Model Release?
A model release usually contains the following key terms:
- Permissions. Check what the videographer or photographer is allowed to do, such as where they can distribute the images.
- Scope. You want clarity about what the content is used for and for how long it can be used.
- Grant of rights. Check that explicit permission is given to the photographer or videographer to use the model’s likeness, image, and performance in the specified ways.
- Compensation. If compensation is provided to the model, the agreement must detail it and provide payment deadlines.
- Waiver of claims. To protect the photographer or videographer from legal disputes, the model release must have a clear waiver of claims section.
- Signatures. For proper execution, both parties must provide their signatures and date the document. Make sure this matches the parties’ information and contact details.
What are Tips for Reviewing a Model Release?
When reviewing a model release, consider the following things to ensure all aspects of the working arrangement are clear and legally sound.
Check Revocation Rights
You want the model release to define if the model has a right to termination agreement or can object to final uses of the content. If these are not included in the agreement and you’d like them to be, a lawyer can negotiate them with the other party before finalizing the agreement draft.
Verify the Scope
Be clear about what the photographer or videographer can capture, such as videos or images. Explain where and how they can use content, such as on social media or for internal presentations.
Consider Exclusivity
When defining how long the model release will last, you should also include in what territories it will apply or if it’s worldwide. Your agreement should determine if the model is permitted to work with other brands, videographers, or photographers during the agreement term. Ensuring all these aspects of the agreement match will provide consistency.
Ensure Edits are Included
Check that the agreement specifies how the model’s images or videos can be edited, should this be required by the videographer or photographer. By including clear provisions regarding edits, such as cropping and combining images with other content, you’ll prevent future misunderstandings or disputes.
Align it with Relevant Laws
During your model release review, check that the agreement terms are compliant with all relevant and applicable laws, such as privacy laws. These should align with how the agreement explains that the model’s likeness can be used by the photographer or videographer, preventing inconsistencies.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Review a Model Release?
Although you might feel confident about reviewing a model release, hiring a lawyer to read through it and provide feedback will prevent your document from containing hidden risks. A lawyer can help you in various ways during a model release review, such as:
- Checking all rights that are granted to the photographer or videographer.
- Ensuring that permitted uses are clearly explained in the contract. This prevents parties from misinterpreting the agreement.
- Verifying alteration rights. They’ll consider if edits to the content can be made, and what these entail.
- Assessing all privacy rights. They’ll determine what rights the model is waiving and if these are fair and reasonable.
- Reviewing all payment terms, if these apply to the agreement. This prevents payment-related disputes.
- Flagging any problematic clauses. A lawyer will scrutinize the agreement so that any excessive liability for claims and one-sided clauses can be changed to create a more favorable agreement for both parties.
- Redrafting the model release, if required. If there are significant problems with the model release draft, a lawyer can redraft the agreement from scratch. This serves to protect your interests and reduce your risk of future disputes.
Where to Find a Lawyer for Model Release Review
If you want a lawyer to review your model release, giving you peace of mind that all its terms are fair and clear, you don’t have to spend a lot of time trying to find one. Online legal platforms such as ContractsCounsel make the lawyer search an easy process.
ContractsCounsel is one of the largest online legal platforms. It connects you to a curated network of lawyers who have been vetted on the platform.
Instead of searching for a lawyer on an online platform, you’ll simply post a request to connect with a suitable lawyer. Here are the steps to follow when requesting that a lawyer on ContractsCounsel reviews your model release.
- Go to the ContractsCounsel marketplace, where it’s free to post your project.
- Try to include some details so you can match with the right lawyer, such as any sections in the agreement you’d like reviewed.
- Receive lawyer bids. You’ll receive multiple bids from lawyers on the platform.
- Review the lawyers’ profiles. ContractsCounsel provides extensive lawyer data, such as the lawyers’ credentials, client ratings for previous projects, years of experience, and field of expertise.
- Connect with a lawyer and hire them to review your model release for a flat fee.
