Legal Question in Business Law in New York

Is there a statute of limitations on the publication of videos of minors?

I worked as a music teacher for a private school in New York in 1989. In June of that year, the school put on an operetta and it was videotaped. I would now like to use some video clips and put them on my music educator website for the purposes of my own promotion as a teacher.

The youngest children were six years old in 1989 which makes them 22 in 2006. I would think that by now any statute of limitations would have expired and these images would no longer be protected, but I want to check with a legal authority so I am writing to you. Are they now unprotected and free for my use or would I have to obtain consent from these children-turned-adults?


Asked on 7/06/06, 11:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Friedman Law Office of John K. Friedman

Re: Is there a statute of limitations on the publication of videos of minors?

There is no statute of limitations per se, as the relevant question is when will the copyright expire (assuming you are not the copyright holder). The question of the other children in the videos rights of publicity are also implicated. Ideally, you should find the copyright holder and get a license to use the video.

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Answered on 7/07/06, 9:42 am


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