About video ressources - Where is the line ?

[Foxid]

Hello, I'm new to vjing and wondering about the question of sampling videos of other.
I understand that some people create there own content, others buy loops on plateform (and get the license apropriate). But what about taking videos from youtube or vimeo for exemple ?

Is it completely illegal no matter what type of content is it or not ?
Is taking a video from youtube of a guy dancing in front of is camera in his bedroom is the same as taking the new nike commercial ?
Does it depende from the country legislation ?
basically: What is ok and what is not ?

I don't know, all that kind of questions obsess me right now. And I wanted to know your opinion on the subject, your knowledge.

[Joris]

The line is that you don't take something that doesn't belong to you.

[Oaktown]

To add to Joris’ reply:

Rule of thumb is that you can’t use anything unless the owner/creator has given explicit permission to use their work. And even if they give permission, it might have some restrictions.

More and more people use Creatve Commons to define how they’re willing to share their work so getting yourself familiar with the basic CC rules: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/

This is such a big deal that I actually use the following clause in all my contracts with producers for content they will provide:

• CLEARANCE OF COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL:
  The Producer shall assume the responsibility to secure all necessary copyright, publishing and mechanical clearances required for the production of the Production.

[Foxid]

The line is that you don't take something that doesn't belong to you.

Okay, that's pretty clear. I was thinking that Vjing is quite like Djing. I mean mixing all kind of videos together and come up with something new. But what you're saying is - if I re-use comparison with DJs - there is no "VJ" but only "VJ/Producer" ?

Rule of thumb is that you can’t use anything unless the owner/creator has given explicit permission to use their work. And even if they give permission, it might have some restrictions.

Could you say more about some restrictions that can be an issu even if I get the permission of the owner/creator ?

[Zoltán]

Is taking a video from youtube of a guy dancing in front of is camera in his bedroom is the same as taking the new nike commercial ?

I'm no legal expert, but I think it is.
There are commercial footage sale sites, you can also buy footage from Resolume at http://resolume.com/footage.
There are some "free" sites, for example https://www.videopong.net/ with creative commons licensing.

[Joris]

A DJ playing a party with his iTunes library is breaking the law, just like you are when you play Youtube rips without permission. It doesn't matter how many effects you stack on it to 'remix it' or 'make it your own'.

Whether or not that results in actual legal action is a different question entirely. You'd still be a dick though.

[Foxid]

I don't want dick to be my middle name, so I'll stick to my own creation and buying vj loops.
Thanks for the response and the article, it drove my opinion on the subject.

[Oaktown]

Could you say more about some restrictions that can be an issu even if I get the permission of the owner/creator ?

I'm pretty partial to the Creative Commoms a lot of the way I think about sharing, using, remixing and attribution is in line with the CC model.

Some people may be OK to share their work with you but they might not want you to remix it or use it commercially. Take a look at this link to understand the various CC licenses available when people choose to share their work. Note the last paragraph at the end of the page which describes how people can make their work available in the public domain:

We also provide tools that work in the “all rights granted” space of the public domain. Our CC0 tool allows licensors to waive all rights and place a work in the public domain, and our Public Domain Mark allows any web user to “mark” a work as being in the public domain.

Another very important thing is how you attribute the work you are using, so take a look at this link.

So please use their search engine when you're looking for your next clips on youtube, vimeo, google, etc.... to help you find work you can legally use with this caveat:

• Please note that search.creativecommons.org is not a search engine, but rather offers convenient access to search services provided by other independent organizations. CC has no control over the results that are returned. Do not assume that the results displayed in this search portal are under a CC license. You should always verify that the work is actually under a CC license by following the link. Since there is no registration to use a CC license, CC has no way to determine what has and hasn't been placed under the terms of a CC license. If you are in doubt you should contact the copyright holder directly, or try to contact the site where you found the content.

[He2neg]

I heard someone called my naameee...


You can find a lot of "free to use" stuff to work with. Still read what the creators wishes... I mostly send a pic to them if they said they would like one (#beeplespam)
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11707#p47755

And you can do a lot of stuff just using the resolume givven effects & sources...
https://vimeo.com/7041944

I also had a gig and found a perfect video on vimeo for one of the songs and i just wrote the creater if i could use it... and guess what it worked and he allowed me to use it.