Why is compliance so important?

Compliance means that the film is legal to screen.

For example

• The music and sound track has been created especially for the film or written permission sort from the composer.
• All the participants featured in the film have signed consent forms (release forms) as have all those behind the camera responsible for the ideas.
• The insurance is adequate for the project.
• Verbal quotes from famous books or people have been cleared by those who own the rights.
• Archive footage, scenes from TV or commercial music playing in the background have all been cleared to use & paperwork secured.

The above are only a few examples of what makes a film legal. You need to ask these questions and many more about your own film.

For more information, please browse:

The Industry Trust was set up in 2004 to help promote copyright and all the good stuff it does. It works together with member companies (from film studios to retailers) to spread the word about the positive role copyright plays in helping to protect creative ideas and secure the livelihoods of the 150,000 people that work in film and TV in the UK.

The IP Trust has a really helpful guide to copyright, please click here

Own-it offers intellectual property (IP) advice and support for creative businesses. It offers a range of services, from basic to specialist support, through online and face-to face seminars, workshops and, where appropriate, surgeries with IP lawyers.

Federation Against Copyright Theft or FACT’s primary purpose is to protect the United Kingdom’s film and broadcasting industry against counterfeiting, copyright and trademark infringements. FACT works closely across the UK with Police, Trading Standards, HM Revenue & Customs, UK Border Agency, Serious and Organised Crime Agency and the other agencies. FACT also has a close association with other industry enforcement bodies.

The Open Rights Group is a grassroots technology organisation which exists to protect civil liberties wherever they are threatened by the poor implementation and regulation of digital technology. It calls these rights our “digital rights”.

The British Copyright Council (BCC) was established in 1965 and is a national consultative and advisory body representing organisations of copyright owners and performers and others interested in copyright in the UK. It lobbies the British Government, the European Commission and Parliament and international bodies such as the World Intellectual Property Organisation on matters of copyright and related issues.