Can all stock footage always be used for commercial purposes?

Can all stock footage always be used for commercial purposes?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Sometimes
• D. Only with license

Answer: (B)

Licensing controls what you can do with stock footage. Not all stock footage is cleared for commercial use. Some clips are editorial-only, which means they can be shown in news or documentary contexts but can't be used to promote a product or service. Even footage labeled royalty-free isn't automatically free to use in every commercial setting; licenses can limit where, how long, or in how many copies you can distribute, and some rights-managed licenses require separate approval for ads, broadcast, or online campaigns. In addition, footage may include identifiable people, private properties, or brands that require model, location, or property releases to use commercially. Because these rights vary by clip, you must review the license for each piece and obtain the appropriate rights before using it commercially.

Licensing controls what you can do with stock footage. Not all stock footage is cleared for commercial use. Some clips are editorial-only, which means they can be shown in news or documentary contexts but can't be used to promote a product or service. Even footage labeled royalty-free isn't automatically free to use in every commercial setting; licenses can limit where, how long, or in how many copies you can distribute, and some rights-managed licenses require separate approval for ads, broadcast, or online campaigns. In addition, footage may include identifiable people, private properties, or brands that require model, location, or property releases to use commercially. Because these rights vary by clip, you must review the license for each piece and obtain the appropriate rights before using it commercially.