From my experience this simple contract often is overlooked by content producers and talent alike. This doesn't mean that they are not used in the industry; instead I mean that many do not spend much time drafting them, or in the case of talent, reading them. Who likes to read contracts? The answer is no one, not even attorneys, unless we are getting paid to do so. I recently rented storage space in Chatsworth, Calif., and was presented with the standard lease to sign. Did I read it? Hell no. Why bother? But this is an article of "do as I say" and not "do as I do."
The model release is the core contract of every adult content shoot. It's what allows the right of publicity to be transferred from the model to the content producer. This allows the photographer or videographer, or whomever he assigns his rights to, the ability to publish that video or photograph for commercial, moneymaking purposes. Failure to secure a signed model release would make it extremely risky for any producer to use that model's image for commercial purposes.
I would even go so far as to state that based on the recent criminal case involving Cameron Diaz and a forged model release, I would suggest that all producers secure not only a signed release but also a witnessed signed release. As with any contract, a witness will always help establish your evidence supporting the validity of the release in case litigation later occurs.
John Rutter's Role
Diaz at 19 posed for some explicit topless photos for John Rutter, a well-known photographer at the time. Eleven years later and just prior to her ascent to stardom for her role in "Charlie's Angels," Rutter approached Diaz about purchasing the photographs from him for $3.5 million or he would sell them to other purchasers for a tendered offer of $5 million.
Apparently, Rutter attempted to portray Diaz as the "bad angel" and profit off her upcoming movie premiere. Rutter claimed to have a valid model release signed by Diaz at the time the pictures were taken. Although it appears that the original photo shoot was a content trade where Diaz was provided copies for her agreement to pose for the pictures, she obviously denied that she ever provided a signed release to Rutter to use the photos for commercial purposes and declined his offer to purchase them.
In order to prevent Rutter from selling photographs of her, Diaz filed a civil lawsuit. During the case, Rutter presented and offered into evidence a signed model release, which he claimed was executed by Diaz. The police executed a search warrant and seized evidence from Rutter's studio and home. Rutter was then charged with theft, forgery and perjury (based on statements made by Rutter, under oath, that Diaz's signature was not a forgery). Eventually the case moved to the trial phase and expert witnesses were called in to authenticate the signature. Long story short, Rutter was convicted and is currently serving a four-year prison sentence. His appeal has been denied based on his forgery of Diaz's signature on the model release and his perjurious statements regarding their authenticity.
The moral of the story is get your releases witnessed, if at all possible, so that a performer can never make a claim that you actually forged his or her signature. And if you ever even consider forging a performer's signature on a model release — don't do it! Even if that performer calls you and says it's OK to do so. While obviously Diaz's clout helped get the matter investigated and prosecuted, do not believe for a moment that you as an adult content producer would be immune from the same prosecution.
On the other side, if you are a performer and believe that a content producer is using your photographs or videos without a release — whether you want to call the police and get them involved or not — you certainly will want to contact an attorney and have them send a cease-and-desist letter to the producer informing them that you are challenging their use of your images and requesting compensation for their past use. If they fail to respond, then your next option would be to institute legal action against the production company as well as anyone else using your images.
Taster's Choice Case
OK, if that hasn't convinced you, let's talk about the Taster's Choice case. So you have a signed release, you've paid the performer, everything is great — right? Not exactly. On Jan. 27, 2005, a California jury awarded $15.6 million to a former model whose picture was used without his permission on Taster's Choice coffee product labels. Russell Christoff posed for a photo shoot in 1986 for $250 and signed a modeling contract stating that he would be paid an additional $2,000 if his image was used on products sold in Canada. While shopping in 2002, Christoff noticed his image on Taster's Choice coffee jars.
Claiming that he was never paid the $2,000 prescribed in his original modeling contract, Christoff filed a lawsuit in February 2003 against Nestle USA, the makers of Taster's Choice, under California Civil Code § 3344, California's right of publicity statute, which bars, among other things, the unauthorized use of a person's image for commercial purposes.
This is an important development for any company dealing with rights and clearances, and it serves as an important warning as to the substantial damages a defendant faces if the appropriate permission is not obtained.
Section 3344 of California Civil Code is violated when a person or company knowingly uses another's name, voice, signature, photograph or likeness for purposes of advertising or selling without such person's prior consent.
Misappropriation of likeness is a serious claim that can have substantial penalties if a plaintiff prevails on a Section 3344 claim. A plaintiff may be able to recover significant damages.
Punitive damages as well as attorneys fees are allowed under a California Civil Code § 3344 claim. However, the California statute also has an additional set of teeth. A plaintiff may also seek to recover the defendant's profits from the misappropriation, much like claims in copyright and trademark violations.
Nestle offered $100,000 to settle, but Christoff demanded $8.5 million. Finally, a jury determined that Nestle should have paid Christoff $330,000 for the use of his likeness and that Christoff should receive damages equal to 5 percent of Nestle's profits from Taster's Choice sales from 1997 to 2003, or $15.3 million — quite a princely sum for having your photograph appear on a jar of coffee. Nestle should have taken his offer and settled the case.
The moral to this story is never use a performer's photograph or video without a release signed by that performer, and make sure to pay them the correct compensation they are entitled to. Finally, do not exceed the rights granted to you by the performer in that model release. Failure to do so might mean, at least in California, loss of any and all profits you might have earned from the use of that photo or video. In other states, misappropriations of likeness and right to publicity are viable claims but may not have the same far-reaching ramifications as they do in California.
In conclusion, whether you are a producer of DVD or web-based content, it is vital that your model releases are legally sufficient to withstand the scrutiny of review by a civil judge or jury. Therefore, if you are using a model release that has not been drafted or reviewed by your attorney, you are risking potential litigation and loss of profits.
If you are a performer, there is a different set of issues to be concerned with. First, do not sign a release without reading each word carefully. I realize that more often than not, these releases are given to a performer at the time of the shoot, and they are simply asked to sign them without much chance to have anyone, especially an attorney, review it. Do not assume that the producer has your best interests at heart. Do not sign a release unless it notes the production date of the scene. This ensures that there are at least two distinct places on the release where a date is noted. This is important in the event someone tries to reuse a release later on down the road. Having the date in two places just makes it a little bit harder to forge.
One last thought: If a performer presents themselves at the set or scene and they are clearly intoxicated or under the influence of some type of substance, do not shoot them. It is quite possible that the model release will not be valid since the performer may not be able to legally consent to or fully understand the contract he or she has signed.
Michael W. Fattorosi is the managing partner of Fattorosi & Chisvin, located in Los Angeles. He may be contacted at (818) 881-8500 or through his website AdultBizLaw.com. His email address is michael@fclawyers.com.
