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crowd release notice
Have you ever walked into a public venue and noticed a sign posted on the door that says, “CROWD RELEASE”? Did you stop to read what it said or did you just keep walking and put it out of your mind? Then maybe months later your friends start calling you to tell you that they saw you on television or maybe on the internet. Now you start wondering how someone was allowed to film you without your permission.Guess what? When you walked past the Crowd Release sign you gave your permission to be filmed or recorded. Had you stopped to read the notice you would have discovered that it gave the producers certain rights and by entering the premises you were consenting to them. Upon entering the venue you have consented to:

• The right to be photographed.
• The right to be filmed.
•The right to be recorded.
• The right to allow the production company to use any of the photographs, films or recordings in any manner they choose to use them and any place that they wish to use them, in connection to the production.
• The right of the production company to use the images or recordings for eternity.
• The right for the producers to use the images and recordings without offering any compensation.

It is not always feasible for a production company to obtain permission from every person who may be filmed, photographed, or recorded at a public venue. Often times it would be nearly impossible to obtain written consent from each person in attendance because of the size of the venue or the volume of people in attendance.
In order for the production company to protect themselves they are required to post notices at all of the entrances of the venue notifying the public that they may be recorded, photographed, or filmed.
The notice includes all of the details allowing the production company to use their work product in any manner they want for as long as they desire. It also lets the public know that if they do not want to be recorded, filmed, or photographed then they should not enter the venue. All crowd release notices contain a statement that informs the public that if they do not agree then they should not enter.
Production companies are advised to photograph or film the notices once they are hung up at the entrances to prevent possible lawsuits from people claiming that they were not given notice. Crowd Release Notices are considered legal documents. Although you may not have noticed it posted, once you have entered the venue you have given your consent.
It is important that crowd release notices contain the proper clauses to protect the rights of the production company and the public. A crowd release notice is a legal document and engaging the help of a qualified business attorney, such as the professionals at a Cleveland business and intellectual property law firm, will make sure that your rights are protected.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained herein is not intended to be specific legal advice for your particular situation. It is meant to provide general information on the changing landscape of the law. You are encouraged to contact legal counsel for advice specific to your particular legal situation.