Legal Requirements

For Using Other People's Material (eg Music)

You must have the right to everything that’s in your film so that it can legally be shown on the internet and elsewhere. That applies to any music, footage, stills, artwork, or written material that you haven’t created yourself. If there is music in your film that isn’t yours you must have permission to use it.  You need to get a license to use the music and the recording of the music and provide it to us. If we cannot see that you have permission to use the music in your film – or any other material in your film that you have not created yourself – then we will give you time to get permission or make changes so that your film is eligible for judging in the Someday Challenge. Use the resources on this page to help you ensure that your film is legal. In the Release Forms and Licences section, there are forms to get completed and signed to ensure you have permission to use other people’s material, like their music. And in the Stock Music section there is advice on what forms to use in different situations. Feel free to contact us if there is any situation you are unsure about - we’re happy to help.

For Performances And Interviews

You must have the right to use all performances and interviews in your film. So you need to get anyone who is featured in your film to sign the Individual Release Form. For anyone who is under 18, you will need to get the parental permission part of the form signed too.  

For Using Public Domain Or Creative Commons Licensed Material

Public Domain: Any material that is free to use and you don’t need a license to use (but you do need to show that it’s in the public domain!) Creative Commons Licensed Material: Material that is free to use but still copyrighted. If you use material in your film for The Someday Challenge which is either in the public domain or available for use under a Creative Commons license, you need to:
  1. In the credits of your film include the title of the material (eg the name of the archive footage clip, still, music or sound effect which you are using) and the web address of the page where you downloaded the material.
  2. With your Entry Form include a printed copy of the relevant Creative Commons Deed or the Public Domain Mark. On that printed page write the title of the material and the web address of the page where you downloaded the material.
Creative Commons Deeds are available online. At the bottom of that page, you can click on ‘View License Deed' for each of the Creative Commons licenses and print a copy of the Deed. The Public Domain Mark is available online.  

Other Legal and Standards Requirements

In order to be a Winning Film your film must meet all applicable laws, regulations, and standards relating to films that are broadcast, published online or screened, or distributed publicly in any other way. In particular, the content of the film must meet the standards in section 4(1) of the Broadcasting Act 1989. This includes maintaining standards that are consistent with:
  • the observance of good taste and decency
  • the maintenance of law and order
  • the privacy of the individual
  • any approved and applicable code of broadcasting practice
If you are in any doubt about the broadcasting standards or codes please refer to the information provided by the Broadcasting Standards Authority. And you need to ensure that your film doesn't depict unhealthy or unsafe activities - such as smoking, misusing alcohol, using drugs, or harmful gambling - in a positive or glamorizing way.

Get Permission

You can use music in your film - music you've created yourself or other people's music - as long as you have the right to use it. If you use your own music that's easy - you just have to ask yourself permission. If it's someone else's music then you need to ask their permission and get licenses signed. Of course, it's harder to make contact with people who are overseas but we hope that New Zealand musicians will be willing to let you use their music for your entry to The Outlook for Someday. Bear in mind that they won’t necessarily be able to give you the permission themselves – they will usually need to refer you to their music publishers and record companies For any music in your film you use you need to supply signed licenses giving you permission. You can download The Outlook for Someday license forms from the Release & Licence Forms page. There is advice below on what forms to use in different situations. If you are the person who needs to sign a form but you are under 18, get your parent/guardian/caregiver to sign as well. Feel free to contact us if there is any situation you are unsure about at entries@someday.co.nz

Other People's Musical Recordings

If you want to use someone else’s music recording, such as music from a CD or someone else’s video or audio recording, the forms to get signed are:
  1. License To Use MaterialTo be signed by the person or organization who owns the music (eg the songwriter or the organization which owns a song). This could be you if someone else has recorded your song.
  2. Musical Recording LicenceTo be signed by the person or organization who owns the musical recording (eg the recording company or a musician whose recording you are using).

Musical Performances

If you have yourself filmed/recorded a musical performance, the forms to get signed are:
  1. Individual Release FormTo be signed by each person who performs the music – one form for each person. If you performed the music yourself then sign the form yourself.
  2. License To Use MaterialTo be signed by the person or organisation who owns the music (eg the song-writer or the organisation which owns a song). If you created the music yourself then sign the form yourself.
  3. Musical Recording LicenceSign the form yourself.