Spoken Releases
It’s common for interviewers, especially when doing video recordings, to simply state on record that the interview can be used and edited in all media, in whole or in part, in perpetuity and throughout the world. The interviewee can then acknowledge they understand these conditions and give permission to continue. However, it’s often recommended to have a physical release form signed.
Main Components
The two most important sections of an interview release form are the grant section and the release section.
Grant
The grant section of the release form includes language that permits the interviewer to use all information gathered from the interviewee for their work (reporting, documentary, podcast, etc.). The interviewer has the right to produce and distribute the material through any medium anywhere in the world without any time limit.
Release
The release section of the document establishes that the interviewee cannot make any claims or demands or take legal action against the interviewer once the material has been used either privately or publicly.
Sample
Download: PDF, MS Word, OpenDocument
INTERVIEW RELEASE FORM
1. THE PARTIES. This Interview Release (“Release”) is made on [DATE] between:
Interviewee: [RELEASOR’S NAME] (“Releasor”), and:
Interviewer: [RELEASEE’S NAME] (“Releasee”).
2. PROJECT. Releasor understands that Releasee is recording, preparing, writing, videotaping, and/or photographing a piece of work that will be published on the subject of [DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT] (“Project”).
3. GRANT. In order to assist the Releasee in the preparation of the Project, Releasor agrees to be interviewed and to provide information and other materials to be used in connection with the Project, including personal experiences, remarks, recollections, as well as any photographs and documents Releasor chooses to give to the Releasee (“Interview Materials”).
Releasor hereby grants and assigns to the Releasee and his/her licensees, successors, and assigns the following rights in connection with the Interview Materials for use as part of the Project or any advertising, packaging, or promotional materials for the Project, in any and all editions, versions, and media, in perpetuity and throughout the world.
- The right to quote or paraphrase all or any portion of the Interview Materials, and to generally use and publish the Interview Materials, including Releasor’s experiences, recollections, incidents, remarks, dialogue, actions, and information, as well as any photographs and documents provided to Releasee.
- The right to use my name, image, and biographical data.
- The right to develop, produce, distribute, advertise, promote, or otherwise exploit the Project in any manner that the Releasee or his/her assignees deem appropriate. Releasor understands and acknowledges that the Releasee and his/her assignees will be the sole owner of all copyright and other rights in and to the Project.
4. RELEASE. In order to enable the Releasee to develop the Project in any manner that the Releasee may deem best, Releasor hereby releases and discharges the Releasee and his/her licensees, successors, and assigns from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action that Releasor may have against them by reason of anything contained in the Project, or any of the above uses, including any claims based on the right of privacy, the right of publicity, copyright, libel, defamation, or any other right.
In consideration of the foregoing, the Releasee has agreed to provide Releasor with one free copy of the Project in its first edition upon publication. Releasor acknowledges that they are not entitled to receive any other form of payment from the Releasee and/or his/her licensees, successors, and assigns.
Releasor’s Signature: ____________________________ Date: _____________
Print Name: ____________________________