Free Media Release Forms

What Is a Media Release Form?

A Media Release Form is a document that grants some business, government organization, or a private individual to use photos, videos, and voice recordings of the signatory in public and social media. It contains conditions for transferring rights to such materials and protects both parties involved.

Alternate Names:

• Media Liability Release Form;
• Media Consent Release.

Just like other Release Form templates, this legally binding agreement will authorize one person or organization to take a certain course of action protecting them from potential liability they would have to face proceeding without permission.

You can download these specific Media Release templates here:

• Photo Release Form. Once you take a picture of a professional model or any person whose images you later want to use to receive profit, you must obtain their written permission to do so with the help of this release;
• Video Release Form. In case you want to reproduce, broadcast, or share moving visual images by any other means, first of all, you need to obtain the consent of the person who appears in the video to do that. By signing this Media Release template, the individual will agree to let you use their image, voice, and video footage for profit;
• A Model Release Form should be negotiated and signed by a professional photographer and model to let the former use the pictures of the model for commercial or promotional gain. If you are working with a person who promoted clothing or other items to later be reproduced in advertisements or online, you have to ask them to sign a release for compensation;
• A Social Media Release Form is composed when the photographer must be given permission to use the model's images on different online platforms that allow users to create and share content with the followers.

The signatories who sign a Media Release approve the use of their images, photographic likenesses, video, and voice recordings in publications, media releases and waive any right to compensation related to the use of these materials. This guarantees to the beneficiary there will not be any proceedings or objections. It is also important to keep in mind that the recipient of rights can not only be an organization but a photographer as well.

What to Include in a Media Release Form?

A Media Liability Release Form must identify the parties by their names and contact information, describe the photos, audio or video content in question, contain the explicit permission of the person granting consent to let their counterpart use their pictures, audio recordings, and videos for commercial purposes, indicate the amount of compensation the model receives if necessary, and state the limitations of use - for instance, the release will be valid for a year or the model will allow the reproduction of images in a specific magazine or publication.

When Do You Need a Media Release Form?

This kind of form is necessary when some organizations such as schools or universities, for example, post information about events on social media. These publications contain photos and videos with their students in them. Some people don’t want their images to be published somewhere without their permission so before the publication, everyone involved should sign media release forms.

People 20 years of age or older are competent to sign any contract in their name but if they are under this age, then their parents must sign a contract for them. In schools, these kinds of forms are signed by parents on behalf of their children.

A Media Release is also important in conducting photo shoots. Before the photographer releases the photos of the model to the public and social media, the model should sign a model release form, which gives the right to such publications.

There are many different situations where this form can come in handy. If a photographer would like to sell pictures of pets, they should get a signed release form from the owner of the animal. If a magazine wants to publish photos of any private property, they should ask the owner of the property to sign a media release as well. These forms are used by radio and music producers when they record the voice or performance of some artists and want to release this material.

How to Write a Media Release Form?

A standard Media Release form consists of the following parts:

1. Approval. The signatory allows the company to use their image, photo, or video in any publications including email blasts, newsletters, and magazines. They grant the right to publish, copyright, reproduce their name, photographic likenesses of them or of their child.
2. Waiver. The signatory waives any right to approve or inspect the finished product, including a written or electronic copy. Also, they waive any right to compensation or royalties related to the use of this product. The approval and waiver should cover the use of the materials in any published or electronic form, they can be used on the radio or television, in any kind of advertising or trade, can be printed in newspapers, magazines, brochures, promotional materials, or company newsletters.
3. Signatory authority. There are two options to choose from in this section. Choose which is appropriate for your present situation:
   • You are 20 years of age or older and can sign a contract, release or agreement on your own;
   • You are a parent or legal guardian of the child.
4. Regardless of which item was selected, you have to confirm below that you have read the release, and understand its contents and meaning.
   • You should also confirm your ability to address your questions regarding the release in written form. The absence of such actions will be evidenced as an acceptance of the terms of this release.
5. The date, the name, and the address of the signatory should be indicated.
6. Signature of the signatory, or parent or legal guardian of the child.

Haven't found the form you are looking for? Take a look at these related templates:

• Photo Licensing Agreement;
• Band Partnership Agreement;
• Recording Contract.