Streamlined Licensing for Archival Film and Video

Flexible Terms for Filmmakers, Educators, Businesses, and Creators

conceptual L.A. Production Office

Simplified licensing offers significant benefits for content creators, educators, businesses, and filmmakers, allowing for easier and more flexible use of media assets. Buyout Footage offers two types of licensing models based on the source of the footage itself.

Public Domain Royalty-Free

Government-produced archival films and other published works that are no longer under copyright protection in the United States are licensed as public domain royalty-free for editorial use with no releases attached.

Rights Managed

Proprietary film and video content is licensed for single-project editorial use for all media, worldwide, in perpetuity, with no releases attached.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any restrictions on the use of public domain footage?

There are 3rd party rights issues to be aware of that have nothing to do with copyright. These include rights of privacy and publicity which are typically associated with commercial exploitation - such as advertising for products or services. For more information, please review our Public Domain Usage Guidelines

Public Domain Royalty-Free License Terms and Conditions

PERMITTED USE: For use in and in connection with Licensee’s Production in any and all media whether now known or hereafter devised, worldwide in perpetuity, as well as in advertising, publicity and promotion of the Production subject to the following representations / warranties / indemnities.

REPRESENTATIONS / WARRANTIES / INDEMNITIES: Licensor warrants that the media falls into one or more of the following categories...

a. U.S. Public Domain
b. Unregistered for copyright protection
c. Unrestricted Access, U.S. National Archives
d. Unknown publication information (Archival TV Commercials & PSA’s)
e. Shared Media Access – Live Events

Licensor does not grant any rights or make any warranties with regard to the use of names, people, trademarks, logos, music, or locations depicted in the media. Licensee is solely responsible for obtaining any and all legally necessary releases, consents and authorizations as may be or may prove to have been required in connection with Licensee’s use of the media and for all payments with respect thereto. Licensee agrees to defend, indemnify and hold Licensor harmless against all liability, loss, damage, cost and expense, including reasonable outside attorneys’ fees, paid or incurred by Licensor in connection with Licensee’s failure to comply with the above limitations. Licensor's sole responsibility for any liability arising from Licensee's use of the media is limited to a refund of the license fee paid.