Photographing or filming people
Copyright in a film or audio recording is owned by the person responsible for making the film or recording. However, people and performers in film or recordings may have performers' rights over their performance.
Copyright in a photo of a person is owned by the photographer, not the subject. However, people still have rights over how their image or photograph is used under other laws such as privacy.
Do the following when photographing, recording or filming individuals or groups:
- Obtain written consent prior to photographing or filming of individuals, for University purposes. This is particularly important when photographing or filming children or Indigenous peoples.
- Respect, Indigenous intellectual property when recording or photographing Indigenous peoples.
- Place signs that state photographing or filming is taking place when filming or taking photos at an event for a large group of people. The signs need to inform individuals to contact an event organiser if they do not wish to be photographed or filmed.
- Check if Human ethics approval is required when filming or recording people for research purposes.
- File and manage consent forms and human ethics forms in accordance with University record management practices.
For more information about privacy issues when photographing or filming people contact the University Privacy Office.