What is Work for Hire Ownership
In a standard contract, the production company creates the video for you, but they retain ownership of the underlying footage and elements unless otherwise stated.
You’re licensing the finished product. It’s similar to renting a tuxedo, you can wear it to the event, but you’re not keeping it afterward.
Contract-based video production means:
•The client gets the finished video for a specific use (like marketing, web, or internal training)
•The production company keeps the raw files, creative rights, and possibly reuse rights
•The client may need to pay more for raw footage, extended usage, or exclusivity
Pros for the production team:
•They can repurpose footage or elements for their reel
•They maintain creative and legal control
•They often retain rights to music or animations if third-party assets are involved
Cons for the client:
•They may need to return later (and pay more) to get extra versions or raw footage
•They can’t repurpose the video freely without negotiating new terms
Work for Hire Video vs Contract: Why This Matters for Your Project
Imagine this scenario:
You hire a video team to make a killer explainer video. Months later, your marketing department wants to pull a 10-second clip from that video to use in a national TV commercial. You call the video company, and they say you don’t own the footage. You only licensed the final edit for web use.
Now, you’re either renegotiating the terms or starting from scratch. This is why Work for Hire Video vs Contract isn’t just a legal distinction: it’s a strategic decision. Which Should You Choose?
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Choose “Work for Hire” if you:
•Want to own everything created
•Plan to use the content in many formats or platforms
•Want future edit flexibility with any vendor
•Prefer full legal peace of mind
Choose a Standard Contract if you:
•Just need a specific deliverable (like a one-time ad)
•Don’t need access to the raw assets or footage
•Want a lower upfront cost (work for hire projects typically cost more)
A Final Word (Before the Lawyers Show Up)
Before you sign anything, ask this one magic question: “Will I own this content when it’s done?” Don’t assume. Don’t guess. Put it in writing. Because in the battle of Work for Hire Video vs Contract, clarity is everything.
And remember: just because you paid for the video doesn’t mean you own it.
Citations:
1.U.S. Copyright Office. (2021). Works Made for Hire. https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ09.pdf
2.VideoMaker. (2022). “Who owns the footage?” https://www.videomaker.com/article/f6/16701-who-owns-the-footage
3.LegalZoom. (2023). “Understanding the Work for Hire Doctrine.” https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/what-is-a-work-made-for-hire
