Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Maryland
I'm in the process of signing a lease agreement and the property management company has included as an addendum a photo release form stating "I, lessee, give Greystar its employees agents, subsidiaries, media contacts, associated press and
vendors the right to record the image and/or voice of the person named below, and I grant Greystar all rights to use these sound, still, or moving images in any and all media, now or hereafter known, and for any purpose whatsoever.
I do hereby release to Greystar its employees, agents, subsidiaries, media contacts, associated press and vendors all rights to exhibit this work in all media including and not limited to electronic form publicly or privately. I wave any rights, claims or interest I may have to control the use of my identity or likeness in the sound, still or moving images and agree that any uses described herein may be made without compensation or consideration to me.
Is this even legal and what does this give them the right to if I sign it.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Anyone can request to use another person's image/likeness - it is up to you to decide whether or not to grant the permission. Typically these kinds of clauses are inserted where a company may film or photograph for advertising purposes. A business does not usually need written permission to record or photograph on their own property, though they should post notice in an obvious place. Rented property is slightly different. A tenant likely has a reasonable expectation of privacy in their own rented quarters, so the LL shouldn't videotape/record inside the units without a reasonable business purpose (like documenting damage) or permission.
The above is not legal advice. An online post can offer general legal information but a specific analysis of a particular contract or situation is best done in private consultation with a lawyer.
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