Who owns your event video and its raw files?

Owning a video, being allowed to use it and receiving the raw files are three separate questions. The answers come mostly from the agreement between you and the videographer, and from the law that applies. Paying for the work does not settle them on its own.

The Copyright Act 1987 is the starting point for copyright in Malaysia.

What are the three questions?

You can have a clear answer on one and none on the others, so settle all three.

What usage should you plan for?

Think about where the video will really go, then have those uses named in the agreement.

• Private viewing: family, guests, internal staff.
• Your own website or social media.
• Presentations and screenings.
• Advertising or paid promotion, which needs extra care. See music permissions for social posts, advertising and livestreams.
• Archive, such as school, club or community records.
• Sharing with partners, sponsors or other organisers.

Here is an illustrative example. A company asks for the highlight film to be used on its website and social media, in internal presentations and for an archive, with no paid advertising planned. The quote lists those four uses. If the company later wants an advertisement, it asks for the usage to be extended in writing.

Should you ask for raw files?

Ask if you have a reason. Raw files are useful for archives, a second edit or reuse in a later project. They also bring responsibilities.

• They are large. Plan storage. The storage and transfer calculator can help.
• They contain everything. That includes moments not meant to be shared, and people who may not want to appear.
• They need an owner. Decide who holds them and who may open them.
• They may carry licence limits. Check that your use of raw files is covered.

If you do not need them, leave them out of the scope and settle what is kept and for how long. See retention and deletion expectations.

What can limit your use?

Some limits sit outside the agreement.

• Music in the video may have its own licence limits. See music played at an event and music added to the video. A music licence does not always prevent takedowns while other rights or platform rules are unresolved.
• People in the video may have views about how they appear. See recording versus publishing.
• The venue or a performer may have rules for filming and using the recording.
• The supplier’s own use is a separate matter. See portfolio permission for an event videographer.

What should the agreement say?

Write these in plain words in the quote or terms:

1. Who holds the rights, and what you receive.
2. The uses you may make, by channel, purpose and period.
3. Whether raw files are included, in what format and when.
4. What happens to music, graphics and third-party material.
5. Whether you may edit or reuse the video, or ask another editor to.
6. Who to ask to extend the usage later.

What we confirm for your event

• What you receive: the films, the raw files, the project files.
• Which uses are included, and how you add more later.
• Whether any music or material in the video carries licence limits.
• Whether another editor may work with the files you receive.

Our filming and publication responsibilities checklist helps you record who is responsible for what. The event videography service page explains how scope is agreed before a booking.

For a legal question about your event or your rights, ask a qualified adviser.