This page covers copyright basics as they apply to UC ANR video production, including how to handle still images, music, filming locations, and model releases. The information here is intended as a guide and should not be taken as legal advice.
Copyright Basics
Copyright is a form of legal protection for original works of authorship — including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works such as videos, songs, software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, but it may protect how those things are expressed.
Your work is protected by copyright the moment it is created in a tangible form. Registration is not required. For UC copyright policies and more complex scenarios, visit the University of California Copyright website.
UC ANR Copyright
Videos you create as part of your work for UC ANR are generally owned by the UC Regents, though other arrangements exist. Copyright affects you in two ways when posting video to YouTube on behalf of the University:
- Your video is protected. UC ANR posts to YouTube using the YouTube Standard License, which retains all rights. Anyone who wants to use the video in their own project needs permission. If your video needs a copyright statement, use: Copyright © 2025 Regents of the University of California. Videos posted to the UC ANR YouTube channel carry this statement in the channel description — you do not need to encode it into the video itself.
- Others' work may be protected. Content created by others may have licensing terms that restrict or prohibit your use of it, require attribution, or require written permission. Public domain works may be used without restriction.
There are exceptions such as Fair Use, but these are narrowly defined. Most straightforward how-to videos will not qualify. If you have questions about whether Fair Use applies to your project, contact UC ANR's Publications group.
The safest approach is to use only content you created yourself.
Still Images
Your own photos can be used without restriction. For other images, here are common sources and their considerations:
- UC ANR images: Generally available for use in your videos, with some exceptions. Check the UC ANR image repository (via your Portal) and WebDAM for available images. Review each image's description for any additional usage restrictions.
- USDA image library: Images created and published directly by the federal government are usually public domain. The USDA ARS image gallery is mostly public domain — unless otherwise noted, images require no attribution and are free to use.
- IPM Images and Forestry Images: ipmimages.org and forestryimages.org offer free images, but licensing varies by image. Most use Creative Commons Attribution 3.0, which requires attribution to the author. Some images retain all rights and require written permission.
- Wikipedia: Many images are available with attribution requirements. Use Google Image reverse search to verify the uploader is the actual copyright holder before using professionally created images.
- Free stock photo sites (e.g., Unsplash): Provenance of images cannot always be verified. Acceptable for casual use such as a PowerPoint presentation, but use caution in published videos.
- Flickr: License terms are clearly displayed, and downloads are blocked for all-rights-reserved images. Contacting creators directly for permission is straightforward and generally successful.
When in doubt, contact the image creator and get written permission. If you cannot, use a different image. All of the above applies equally to video clips.
Music
Almost all music you will encounter is copyrighted. Using copyrighted music in a video posted publicly — including on YouTube — typically requires payment of royalties. Always use royalty-free music.
Common situations that can create copyright problems:
- Using a recognizable clip of copyrighted music such as a game show theme or popular song
- Using a modern recording of a public domain song — the song may be in the public domain, but the specific recording is not
- Using music from Windows 10 Video Editor — these tracks are free to use but are not licensed for YouTube, and YouTube will require an advertisement to be shown before your video
Royalty-free music sources:
- Adobe Premiere Elements: Bundled sound assets are royalty-free
- YouTube Audio Library: Free, royalty-free tracks created specifically to avoid copyright issues — some tracks require attribution
- Killer Tracks: UC ANR holds a subscription for contemporary music tracks — contact Strategic Communications for access
- Additional free libraries: Sites such as audiolibrary.com.co offer royalty-free tracks, most under CC 3.0 with attribution required. Note that most of these are licensed for YouTube use only.
Copyright and music use were covered in depth in the May 2020 webinar. View the May 2020 webinar recording.
Filming Permissions
Beyond copyright, certain filming situations require permits or written permission. Here is a summary of common scenarios:
- National Parks: Professional filming requires a permit, and a ranger must accompany you at your expense. If you plan to use a tripod at a National Park Service site, contact staff to confirm requirements. California State Parks have similar policies — check the park's website.
- National Forests and BLM lands: A permit may be required at developed recreation sites, but most UC ANR-style videos recorded without disturbing others will not require one.
- Private property: Public gardens, schools, event centers, and stadiums often have photo and video policies posted on their websites. Use of a tripod or models frequently triggers a permit requirement.
- Public spaces: Informal recording in public places is generally permitted as long as you are not impeding access. If unsure, contact whoever manages the space.
- People: Anyone who appears identifiably in your video must give permission to be filmed. If permission cannot be obtained, blur their face. Because busy locations are poor for recording anyway, this should rarely be an issue.
- Products: Avoid prominently displaying commercial brand names or products. If a branded product appears incidentally, that is generally acceptable — but do not feature specific brands in the frame. Covering labels with tape is an easy solution. UC has non-endorsement language that may need to be added to your video or description if products must be mentioned.
- Pesticides: UC has a policy on pesticide recommendations in publications. Review UC's pesticide policy and contact UC IPM if you are unsure. Review volunteer-created content carefully before filming begins — a script review is much easier than a reshoot.
Model Releases
Anyone who appears in a UC ANR video — other than yourself — must sign a model release. This includes employees, volunteers, and family members. Obtaining releases from all participants is best practice, as a person's affiliation with UC or with you may change over time.
Creative Commons Licensing
Some creators license their work under Creative Commons (CC) licenses, which allow others to use content while retaining certain controls. CC-licensed content can generally be used in your videos, but all CC licenses require attribution at minimum.
When attributing CC content, include at least "CC BY" and the creator's name. Link to the CC license type on the Creative Commons website whenever possible.
CC license codes and what they mean:
- BY: Attribution required (always applies with any CC license)
- ND: No derivative works permitted
- NC: Non-commercial use only
- SA: ShareAlike — you may use and adapt the work, but any derivative must carry the same license. This is how Wikipedia content is licensed.
Content marked CC0 or with a crossed-out copyright symbol is in the public domain and may be used without restriction. Read the CC0 FAQ for more information.