CHAPTER 12. Releases

A release is an agreement by which someone waives (gives up) any rights to sue arising from a certain activity. A release is usually needed because a publication (or broadcast) of a person's name or image may trigger legal claims such as defamation, invasion of privacy or violation of the right of publicity. These types of legal claims are personal and relate to false statements, intrusions into personal affairs or commercial uses. The person signing the release usually foregoes any right to sue over these claims.

Traditionally, these personal releases (sometimes known as model releases) are needed when a person's name or image is used for commercial purposes. However, there may be other instances as described within this chapter in which it may be prudent to obtain a signed release. In addition to two types of personal releases, we have provided a release enabling you to use interview statements and another release permitting the use of property, such as a photo of a building, in an advertisement.

1. What Is a Release?
   1. Invasion of Privacy
   2. Right of Publicity
   3. Defamation
2. When to Use a Release
   1. Informational Uses
   2. Commercial Uses
   3. Is Your Use Commercial or Informational?
   4. Websites: Informational or Commercial?
   5. Free Speech May Obviate Need for Release
3. Personal Release Agreements
   1. General Rules for Releases
   2. Unlimited Personal Release Agreement
   3. Limited Personal Release Agreement
   4. Explanation for Limited and Unlimited Personal Releases
4. Interview and Property Releases
   1. Interview Releases
   2. Property Releases

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