Do I own my videos and if so can I copyright them?

[CharlyG]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NH
I was voluntarily in charge of making music videos that depicted a music band - four players performances (myself included)- on screen. The editing, use of additional video material, transitions, effects and sync with the audio portion of this original video was only done by me. These videos were shared via the band page and social media. I have been eliminated without warning from the project by the other members; yet these original videos are still being copied, reproduced and displayed online on the social media sites without my credit both as musician and video editor. My questions are the following: Do I own these videos? Are they my sole copyright? should I register the VIDEO component as such? How do I stop the other members from copying/ reproducing/ displaying them without my authorization?
Thank you for the help!

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NH
I was voluntarily in charge of making music videos that depicted a music band - four players performances (myself included)- on screen. The editing, use of additional video material, transitions, effects and sync with the audio portion of this original video was only done by me. These videos were shared via the band page and social media. I have been eliminated without warning from the project by the other members; yet these original videos are still being copied, reproduced and displayed online on the social media sites without my credit both as musician and video editor. My questions are the following: Do I own these videos? Are they my sole copyright? should I register the VIDEO component as such? How do I stop the other members from copying/ reproducing/ displaying them without my authorization?
Thank you for the help!

If you created the videos, you hold the copyrights in the videos, absent any agreement to the contrary. The copyrights are automatic once any original and creative work is fixed in a tangible form.

You can register the videos with the US Copyright Office if, again, there is no other contract in place that transferred ownership of the videos to another or others.

You can stop others from copying, reproducing, displaying, or distributing the videos by sending those using the videos a cease and desist letter, a demand for compensation, and/or by filing an infringement lawsuit once your videos are federally registered. Depending on publication dates of the videos, you could only be entitled in an infringement suit to actual damages (provable profits/losses) instead of the statutory damages that can be awarded to copyright holders who register their works in a timely fashion.

Now here comes a tricky part. Although you hold the copyrights in the videos, the performers hold publicity rights that can limit your use of the videos should your use of the videos be challenged.

You can review all facts with an IP attorney in your area.


A side note for a forum member's education: The Library of Congress is a depository for copyrighted works. When an artist/author registers their works with the US Copyright Office, they submit with their registration at least one copy of their published work. This will be deposited with the Library of Congress automatically with registration of the work. All copyright holders have an obligation to make a Library of Congress deposit - although not all copyright holders will do this if they choose not to register their works with the Copyright Office. In other words, the Library of Congress has EVERYTHING to do with copyright law. For more information, contact: Library of Congress, Collection Policy Office, 101 Independence Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20540.

 

[CharlyG]

Thank you so much for the info!

Thank you so much for the info! Much appreciated, will follow your recommendation.

 

[quincy]

Thank you so much for the info! Much appreciated, will follow your recommendation.

You're welcome, CharlyG. I appreciate the thanks.

Good luck.