Q. ENFORCEMENT: WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING BMCC’S RULES REGARDING FILMING ON BMCC PROPERTY?
A. Any BMCC official may check with photographers and videographers filming on university property to determine if they are in compliance with filming rules and regulations.
Q. MEDIA: WHAT KIND OF MEDIA ARE COVERED BY THE COLLEGE’S FILMING POLICY? Does the filming rule apply only to motion pictures or television productions?
A. The BMCC policy for filming covers only motion pictures and television productions regardless of the media used for the filming. Other rules apply to other similar activities.
Q. POLICY ON STILL PHOTOGRAPHY: What is BMCC’s policy on still photography for student projects or for use in commercial projects?
A. Photography by students as part of their course work, or by faculty or staff in the course of their employment is allowed. Incidental, unobtrusive non-commercial filming or photography by visitors or tourists to the campus is allowed. Commercial photography is NOT allowed.
Q. WEDDINGS/ENGAGEMENTS: What is the College’s policy on shooting video or still images for engagement or wedding portraits on university property? Does it matter if the photographer is an amateur friend doing it for free or a professional commercial photographer doing it for money?
A. Weddings are allowed in certain locations (upon request). Photography incidental and contemporaneous with the event is allowed including commercial photography. Commercial photography of any other sort on campus is NOT allowed. Unobtrusive amateur photography is allowed (see above.)
Q. AUDIO RECORDINGS: What is the university’s policy regarding audio taping on BMCC property for commercial purposes?
Examples: An individual or musical group performs on university property and makes an audio recording of the performance for the purpose of manufacturing and selling CDs?
A: BMCC property may not be used for commercial purposes, except for certain venues such the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Ownership of any intellectual property arising from performances on campus is handled through the contract process.
Q. POSTING VIDEO ON COMMERCIAL WEB SITES: What is BMCC’s policy regarding the filming of material on university property and then posting it on commercial Web sites? Is this considered commercial broadcast?
A. University property may NOT be used for commercial purposes. A film or photograph made on the BMCC campus may NOT be used for any direct commercial purpose.
Q. POSTING VIDEO ON PRIVATE/PUBLIC WEB SITES: Is it OK to film material on the BMCC campus and post it on my own private Web site?
A. An amateur film or photograph made on the BMCC campus could be posted on a personal web site or page such as a Facebook page, but may NOT be used for any direct commercial purpose.
Q. POSTING VIDEO ON SOCIAL NETWORK PUBLIC SITES: Is it OK to film material on campus and post it on a social network site like Facebook?
A. An amateur film or photograph made on campus could be posted on a personal web page such as a Facebook page, but may NOT be used for any commercial purpose.
Q. POSTING ON YOUTUBE: Is it OK to film material on campus and post it on a public site like YOUTUBE?
A. A non-commercial film or photograph made on campus may be posted on a video sharing site such as Youtube, but may NOT be used for any commercial purpose.
Q. POSTING ON PERSONAL SMALL BUSINESS SITES: Is it OK to film material on BMCC’s property and post it on the Web site I created for my small business?
A. No. BMCC property may not be used for commercial purposes.
Q. UNIVERSITY LOGOS, SYMBOLS AND IMAGES: In all of these cases, does it matter whether or not Borough Manhattan Community College (BMCC) is named or its symbols or logos are used?
A. In general, commercial filming performed pursuant to a film permit may not use College logos or trademarks or identify the College. News reporting may identify the College. Incidental amateur filming or photography may identify the College or contain its logos or trademarks, unless it is publicly displayed in which case it may not.
Q. NEWS PRODUCTIONS AND DVDs: Would a news organization be allowed to film a production on campus under the “news” category if it also needed permission to produce and distribute/sell DVDs of the production?
A. The sale of DVD’s is not relevant and would not prevent the news organization from filming the news event. The reason is that DVD’s, podcasts, and transcripts of news programs are often sold by news organizations.
