Avoiding the potential pitfalls of copyright infringement

In this age of high speed internet connections, 4G mobile phones and ever growing popularity of sites like YouTube and Vimeo, video content has become an intrinsic component of the average internet user’s daily browsing. Video is the number one source for entertainment online and by 2020 will also account for 82% of all consumer traffic across the world wide web (Cisco, 2016). Due to this ubiquitous nature of video content on the modern internet, it is by far the preferred method of projecting your professional business message across the digital void, engaging prospective customers in the same manner that they entertain themselves during leisure time.

Blurring the lines between entertainment and advertising is the golden ticket and many business websites have embraced this ideology; captivating audiences and prospective consumers with professionally made explainer videos, well shot and scored, and designed specifically to extol the virtues of their particular brand or business. No waffle, no jargon; this is our product, this is what we do and this is why you need our product or services. These USPs can be streamed to a website visitor in a couple of minutes, reducing the need for reams of text or cluttered menu systems.

The thing is, high quality explainer videos require a lot of planning. It’s true that anybody can pick up a video camera (or phone) and with ever more affordable technology at the disposal of the general public, it’s never been easier to become a video content creator. However, when it comes to creating professional quality explainer or business videos, there’s more to it than simply having an expensive camera or high-spec editing machine. There are the hidden hazards can present real headaches for companies that choose to create their own explainer videos rather than consult  a professional Production company. An impressive video is like a good first impression – if your video looks the part, customers and clients are more likely to recognise your brand as a worthy partner to work with or buy from. If your video looks like it’s been shot in a shed by your best mate using his mobile phone, then the chances are potential customers will look elsewhere.

Why hire a professional production company?

The benefits of hiring a reputable, professional production company to produce your corporate videos are numerous, but some are more obvious than others. The main advantages include industry standard scripting and storyboarding, planning and professional production values. Aspects an amateur film maker may not even consider, such as on-set safety procedures, permissions and location scouting, release forms for all talents and licenses required from authorities to film. Having the correct paperwork and administration in place is a vital part of the professional video production process, and neglecting these aspects can lead to situations such as legal claims and cease and desist notices, but these aren’t the only potential trip hazards. Negotiating the often confusing world of copyright infringement when using certain products in a video, or even getting clearance to use commercial tracks without the right permissions can all lead to the hard work of a business coming to naught, should the copyright owner decide to take action against improper usage.

For all of these reasons, choosing to work with a production company like LoveLove Films will not only result in a professionally shot video. To use an analogy, you wouldn’t make your own car if you wanted to travel in comfort and style. You’d speak to a experienced dealer or showroom and buy a tool (the vehicle) specifically made for purpose. Obviously, there’s nothing to stop you building your own car…but unless you’re a trained car manufacturer you’re more likely to end up with a soapbox racer with square wheels and nails sticking out of the seat than a luxury saloon. The same can be applied to video production.

While it might seem like a cost effective way to produce a corporate or brand video of your own, there is so much more to consider than pointing and shooting. LoveLove Films offer an affordable and professional alternative, and your peace of mind is as important to us as the quality of your final product.

Solicitors Point of View

Senior Solicitor Luke English specialising in business contracts, media and technology at legal firm Laceys:

Clearances are one of the key issues when making a video. One of the most important things to consider is whether you have the right clearance in place.  If just one of these aspects is not cleared, then it can mean that you don’t own the video, or you can be liable for breach of copyright, both of which can carry fines or result in your video content being unusable.

Our litigation department sometimes deals with companies that have not had expert guidance from a production company. They have not prepared the correct clearance and contracts at the beginning of a production and it can cost them thousands to rectify the problem retrospectively. In addition, there are a wealth of potential issues to consider in regards to health and safety on set and ensuring you are protecting the crew and of course the public. Its is always best to make sure you have all your legal requirements in place first, so that your hard work gets the recognition it deserves and you save money in the long term.

LoveLove Films has all the bases covered when it comes to creating video and animation content that ticks all the right boxes. The Pre production stages of our productions help ensure we have all the various paperwork and permissions in place, leaving you free to focus on getting the right message across in your video. Want to find out how LoveLove Films can help your business with professional video content for web and TV? Get in touch today!