Political Candidate does something in front of news cameras
That video shows up in political ads. (First question) Is that actually true, that video from journalists does commonly show up in ads, or is it that the video is from another, non journalistic, source (like a political lackey at the same event)?
If true, what is the mechanism for obtaining that video? I don’t think the political campaign can just use it without permission, because of copywrite laws. But political ads are weird and have special rules governing them so as not to run afoul of first amendment issues.
Do campaigns pay for the license to use the video? Do news organizations have any reticence or obligation to license the video?
Since its ‘their video’ I can see how they want the right to decide who gets to use it…but I also see how they may have some requirement to allow it to be used…and I also see that they have the right to capitalize on their intellectual property.
I just would like a clearer understanding of the process.
Broadcast/news footage can be used (with attribution) under fair use.
I’d add, however, as someone who has been to a lot of campaign rallies, that candidate organizations also send their videographers to opponent events in case they say something interesting.
In addition, there are a lot of freelance videographers (i.e., paparazzi) who hang out at public events (political rallies, parades, etc.) on the off-chance something noteworthy will happen and then can make money selling the video.
How do political ad makers (or video producers in general, or late night comedy shows) access old footage, news or other? Does someone have to have recorded off TV at the time, or will the original source willingly license and provide it to the producers? Some of the clips appear to be professionally done, i.e. the major networks, not some guy with a video camera in the back of the room.
There are many services that record TV stations/networks virtually continuously. Not necessarily for archival purposes, but also to have evidence that commercials aired when the station said they did, that a guest on a program did or did not make a libelous statement, etc.
As for licensing agreements, copyright, licensing, etc., that’s way above my pay grade.