Military and Model Releases

It's always been my understanding that video of military personnel engaged in the course of their duty did not require a talent release. In one of my books we pubished dozens of such photos - all without a release.

Anyone know otherwise?

I don't know for certain, however I recently submitted several clips from an Armed Forces Day parade and for the ones with pictures of civilians: Pond5 added this notice: "NOTE: No model/property release on file for this clip; may be suitable for editorial (news and documentary) usage only." While the clips showing soldiers in uniform didn't have this notice added.

I submitted all the clips with the editorial category selected and without model releases and Pond5 has always added the notice quoted above to my clips of public events before, so them not including the note suggests that uniformed soldiers don't need the release.

However as I mentioned earlier I'm not 100% certain.

As I see it the talent release is for commercial use - whereas editorial will in most cases not need one. Isn't the use in books most often interpreted as editorial use? Whereas most people - even soldiers - would not like being used recognizable in any commercial without being asked.

I have a friend who is a reviewer for SS and she said that you can only use that for editorial use and not commercial without a talent release. That is SS's take on it. That is a quote, I don't know myself. I have been told by the Navy that they encourage photos of the military, it is free advertising.

No different than any other group of people. Many agencies such as IS and SS do not really allow "editorial" type footage of people. Either have a release of don't upload it. Any group of people in a public setting where they have no expectation of privacy is fair game for editorial type photos or video. This doesn't mean you can use them to endorse a product. Doesn't matter if they are military or civilians, same rules apply. Don't use either to endorse a product but either as editorial or newsworthy is ok.

I think the bigger revelation in this thread is that "stester" knows a reviewer at SS. I can think of about 100 questions (or more accurate, strong "comments") I'd like her to relay to her "friend."

But, this isn't the place for this.

hummmmmm .... linch mob forming, who has a rope and where is the nearest tree ;)

AHA! Found my pitchfork. Anyone have an extra torch?

No, but I have lots of trees.

In my country, if you shoot video of military personnel engaged in the course of their duty , first you need clearance from the military censor. Otherwise you are considered to be a spy.