Seminary Registration- Right To Use Image

[HappyJackWagon]

Seminary is starting BUT before students can participate parents are required to accept the Parents Agreement. Within the agreement is this Release to Use Image.

 

Release to Use Image

 

 

You assign and irrevocably grant to us the right and permission

to use and—without limit to time, number, language, geography,

and/or medium (including now unknown and future media)—

reproduce, distribute, display, perform, create derivative works

from, or sublicense any images or recordings made of you in

connection with seminary. You authorize us to interview you and

record your interview; to use or record your name, voice, image,

likeness, and performance; and to copy, reproduce, adapt, edit,

and summarize any recording for use at our sole discretion. You

authorize the reproduction, sale, copyright, exhibition, broadcast,

electronic storage, and/or distribution of images or recordings

without limitation, at our sole discretion. You hereby release us

from any and all liability from such use and publication, and you

waive any right to compensation for any of the foregoing.

 

This strikes me as an insane request. When would anyone EVER give another entitity authorization to use any visual or vocal likeness in any way they deem FOREVER? They are even being granted authority to create derivative works, meaning they could take the image or voice and do anything with it they like, package it, sell it or give it away.

 

I'm guessing that most people don't read this before registering their students to participate in seminary because it's hard for me to imagine how any thinking person would feel good about this. Can someone please help me understand how this is not an extreme overreach by the church.

 

*In fairness, I'll state they supply an email address to which someone can write if they have a problem with any portion of the parents agreement. So I still had to "accept" so the students could be registered but then I wrote to them explicitely stating they don't have this right with my children in seminary but I suspect I'm one of the few to notice and object.

[jkwilliams]

Seminary is starting BUT before students can participate parents are required to accept the Parents Agreement. Within the agreement is this Release to Use Image.

 

This strikes me as an insane request. When would anyone EVER give another entitity authorization to use any visual or vocal likeness in any way they deem FOREVER? They are even being granted authority to create derivative works, meaning they could take the image or voice and do anything with it they like, package it, sell it or give it away.

 

I'm guessing that most people don't read this before registering their students to participate in seminary because it's hard for me to imagine how any thinking person would feel good about this. Can someone please help me understand how this is not an extreme overreach by the church.

 

*In fairness, I'll state they supply an email address to which someone can write if they have a problem with any portion of the parents agreement. So I still had to "accept" so the students could be registered but then I wrote to them explicitely stating they don't have this right with my children in seminary but I suspect I'm one of the few to notice and object.

 

My guess is that this comes from someone being upset that their photo or writing was used in some other regard. For example, the Church News and New Era sometimes publish photos and accounts of seminary activities from local wards and stakes. This disclaimer just means they can do so without triggering a lawsuit. Yeah, it does seem a little extreme, but I'm guessing the church's legal counsel wants to make sure they're protected from liability.

[HappyJackWagon]

My guess is that this comes from someone being upset that their photo or writing was used in some other regard. For example, the Church News and New Era sometimes publish photos and accounts of seminary activities from local wards and stakes. This disclaimer just means they can do so without triggering a lawsuit. Yeah, it does seem a little extreme, but I'm guessing the church's legal counsel wants to make sure they're protected from liability.

I can understand why the church wants it but why would any person willfully agree to it.

 

"Sure, take my picture or video, interview me, record audio, and then use it in any way you choose without limit, FOREVER."

 

Or, the church could be responsible and seek limited right to usage as neede instead of doing a blanket right for ALL seminary students, regardless of need.

[ksfisher]

I work at a food bank.  If you want to volunteer at the food bank you have to agree to something similar.  I've never heard of anyone making a big deal out of it.

[jkwilliams]

I can understand why the church wants it but why would any person willfully agree to it.

 

"Sure, take my picture or video, interview me, record audio, and then use it in any way you choose without limit, FOREVER."

 

Or, the church could be responsible and seek limited right to usage as neede instead of doing a blanket right for ALL seminary students, regardless of need.

 

I think people who would sign that trust the church not to do something irresponsible or wrong with the rights.

[ALarson]

I think people who would sign that trust the church not to do something irresponsible or wrong with the rights.

I agree.  I also think that many don't even read what they're signing because of this trust and I get that.

[jkwilliams]

I agree.  I also think that many don't even read what they're signing because of this trust and I get that.

That, too.

About this time each year, DW pushes my youngest to sign up for early morning seminary. Now there's another reason for not signing up.

[Steve-o]

I trust the church but that seems a bit extreme.

[Nevo]

I just finished teaching seminary for four years. During that time, the Church never photographed or recorded any of the students. I suspect the same is true of 99% of seminary students. But occasionally seminary students do appear in teacher training videos, social media memes, posters, Church magazines, Mormon Messages, and so on. If someone was shy about having their likeness become the property of Intellectual Reserve Inc., I'm sure they could leave the room when the photographer showed up.

[jkwilliams]

I just finished teaching seminary for four years. During that time, the Church never photographed or recorded any of the students. I suspect the same is true of 99% of seminary students. But occasionally seminary students do appear in teacher training videos, social media memes, posters, Church magazines, Mormon Messages, and so on. If someone was shy about having their likeness become the property of Intellectual Reserve Inc., I'm sure they could leave the room when the photographer showed up.

Those kids were lucky to have you as a teacher. I used to substitute early morning seminary on occasion when we lived in Texas, and I always enjoyed it. I never personally took any photos, but there were some photos of seminary activities on the bulletin board in the seminary classroom/Primary room. I suspect that's the kind of stuff the statement is meant to address, as it could potentially make its way into the New Era or Church News.

[Kenngo1969]

I think people who would sign that trust the church not to do something irresponsible or wrong with the rights.

While the people who carp about such things here and elsewhere, on the other hand ...

[jkwilliams]

While the people who carp about such things here and elsewhere, on the other hand ...

I wouldn't have a problem signing that waiver if my youngest were interested in seminary. It's not like such stuff would show up in a disreputable arena. Of course, some people consider the Church News disreputable. (ducking)

 

 

[ALarson]

I just finished teaching seminary for four years. During that time, the Church never photographed or recorded any of the students. I suspect the same is true of 99% of seminary students. But occasionally seminary students do appear in teacher training videos, social media memes, posters, Church magazines, Mormon Messages, and so on. If someone was shy about having their likeness become the property of Intellectual Reserve Inc., I'm sure they could leave the room when the photographer showed up.

I think this is the case too.

 

And, I second what jkwillliams wrote.  Those kids were lucky to have you for a teacher!   So, are you retired from doing that now?

[KevinG]

We have a standard boilerplate for our university events like that.  The BSA includes it on the medical form:

 

I also hereby assign and grant to the local council and the Boy Scouts of America,

as well as their authorized representatives, the right and permission to use and

publish the photographs/film/videotapes/electronic representations and/or sound

recordings made of me or my child at all Scouting activities, and I hereby release

the Boy Scouts of America, the local council, the activity coordinators, and all

employees, volunteers, related parties, or other organizations associated with

the activity from any and all liability from such use and publication. I further

authorize the reproduction, sale, copyright, exhibit, broadcast, electronic storage,

and/or distribution of said photographs/film/videotapes/electronic representations

and/or sound recordings without limitation at the discretion of the BSA, and I

specifically waive any right to any compensation I may have for any of the foregoing.

 

When I have an event or class at the university where a photographer will be present we warn individuals to opt out and let us know privately if they need to protect their privacy (protection programs, ex spouses, etc.) so we can avoid getting them in shots.

 

Remember, you aren't paranoid if they are really out to get you.

Edited August 17, 2015 by KevinG

[Scott Lloyd]

I wouldn't have a problem signing that waiver if my youngest were interested in seminary. It's not like such stuff would show up in a disreputable arena. Of course, some people consider the Church News disreputable. (ducking)

 

 

Kidding aside, the Church News, unlike Church magazines, curriculum materials, public relations endeavors, Tabernacle Choir promotions, or other entities directly under the Church corporate umbrella (IRI), is not required to obtain such advance signed permissions. That's because we are attached to a commercial news enterprise (the Deseret News) and the law allows publication of people's likenesses as part of standard news-gathering operation without liability for civil litigation.

 

An illustrative example: On the recent Mormon Tabernacle Choir Atlantic Coast tour, the choir had its own social media team doing interviews, shooting video, writing copy, etc., for posting on the Internet. I was gathering much of the same stuff for the Church News, but choir's team was obliged to obtain signed consent forms from the people being interviewed or video-recorded, while I was not.

 

Another example: I covered the recent FairMormon Conference. In the course of photo coverage, I shot some general crowd shots, people at the bookstore or book auction, etc. Had I been working for a Church publication, I would have had to obtain consent forms from people in the shots. As it was, I did not need to do that, because I was working for the Deseret News, not the Church.

Edited August 17, 2015 by Scott Lloyd

[KevinG]

Of course the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may just be stealing your children's souls with their magical picture capturing devices.

[Senator]

You authorize us to interview you and record your interview

 

What if your student doesn't want to be interviewed?

[HappyJackWagon]

What if your student doesn't want to be interviewed?

Follow Marshawn Lynch's example. Answer "Biscuits and Gravy" to ever question asked. The interview will be brief and unusable

http://www.cc.com/video-clips/docvi8/key-and-peele-super-bowl-special-marshawn-lynch-s-press-conference

 

Of course if we have perfect trust that the church will always put my children's well being first, ahead of their desire for audio or video clips to share on social media to to package and sell for other purposes, there shouldn't be an issue.

[KevinG]

What if your student doesn't want to be interviewed?

 

They duct tape him to the stand, hit 'em with a dose of sodium pentathol, and force a testimony out of them.

 

(Or the student says no.)

[rpn]

No parents do not have to accept that.  They can print it, scribble out whatever they choose, and return it to the department.   Maybe even upload it to the site.  

 

The problem isn't in what it says (which is pretty corporate US and every other technology savvy nation), but that people sign off on it without having read it, and that some do not challenge and mark up it up.

[Senator]

They duct tape him to the stand, hit 'em with a dose of sodium pentathol, and force a testimony out of them.

 

(Or the student says no.)

I'm just questioning the wording of the agreement.

[provoman]

No parents do not have to accept that. They can print it, scribble out whatever they choose, and return it to the department. Maybe even upload it to the site.

The problem isn't in what it says (which is pretty corporate US and every other technology savvy nation), but that people sign off on it without having read it, and that some do not challenge and mark up it up.

People have done as much with boilerplate contracts. One credit card companies defense to rewritten terms and conditions was "No one reads the fine print, so how are suppose to know we accepted a persons offer to pay zero interest, and no monthly payments."

[Scott Lloyd]

Follow Marshawn Lynch's example. Answer "Biscuits and Gravy" to ever question asked. The interview will be brief and unusable

http://www.cc.com/video-clips/docvi8/key-and-peele-super-bowl-special-marshawn-lynch-s-press-conference

 

Of course if we have perfect trust that the church will always put my children's well being first, ahead of their desire for audio or video clips to share on social media to to package and sell for other purposes, there shouldn't be an issue.

I can't imagine "other purposes" the Church might have with which I would not be in full accord.

[Scott Lloyd]

Of course the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may just be stealing your children's souls with their magical picture capturing devices.

:rofl:

[hagoth7]

What if your student doesn't want to be interviewed?

 

I imagine they could simply decline to comment, just as anyone could in any other setting.