Creators have intellectual property rights over “original works of authorship” including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and certain other intellectual works (whether finalized & published, or incomplete & unpublished).
Basically, if you make something, you own it!
Owning something, or having intellectual property rights over a creation, gives the creator the exclusive right to do and to authorize others to do the following:
Almost every material work is subject to copyright protection, so we cannot use any 3rd party works without a materials license!
KEEP IN MIND - If your project is at all in connection with or for a client (sponsored or branded) all third-party content must be cleared. You must release or avoid EVERYTHING owned by a third party!
It’s ok to film certain brands in non-branded content as long as they are being used in the way they were intended. For example:
Intended Use - OK
Not Intended Use - NOT OK
UPDATED 8/25/17