For amateur recordings, who owns the video? The camera man or performer?
<p>I would like to make a video where I teach something. My friend has a video camera and is willing to record me. Who would own the video?</p>

<p>I ask because I plan on uploading it to some sort of streaming service (or personal website) and would like to choose the correct license on there. Maybe I'm over thinking this but if I'm not the owner then technically I wouldn't have the right to grant a license? </p>

<p>Unless you hire your friend cameraman, he will own the copyright.</p>

<p>So sign a contract with him: you give him $1, he disclaims and/or grants all the copyright to you. Make sure this is actually in writing because, otherwise, <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intention_to_create_legal_relations" rel="noreferrer">presumption of no intention to create legal relations</a> applies as you are friends.</p>

<p>In the OP scenario, and in the US, the performer has the rights to the performance, and the cameraman has the rights to the capture of that performance.  So it would be best to contract that either he buys rights to your performance, or you buy rights to his capture. </p>

<p>Lets argue you were singing also, then the song writer would have rights to the words, and the music writer would have rights to the music.  Every creator of content has rights, but they can be waived, or licensed or transferred. </p>

<p>Of course it is easier to agree that your friend transfers all rights to you.</p>

<p>Aside: I had a pro photographer friend who was on an outing with me, and asked to borrow my camera to capture a photo.  I agreed, but on the condition that I would have all rights.  Keeping track of who shot what image would get so burdensome.  </p>

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