Clearance agreements for campaigns, content and creative releases

You will usually need a clearance agreement when you want to use third-party material in a public or commercial project and need written permission that is specific enough to rely on later. Common examples include music in ads, stock or commissioned images, archive footage, artwork, logos, voice recordings, and talent content. The agreement records what material is covered, who is granting permission, and the exact use allowed. That becomes important if a platform, distributor, publisher, or client asks for proof of rights, or if the project later expands into new channels or territories.

A clearance agreement usually identifies the asset being cleared and sets out the permitted use in practical detail. That often includes the media channels, territory, duration, campaign or project type, edit rights, credit requirements, approval rights, exclusivity, and any fee or royalty terms. Depending on the material, it may also cover moral rights consents, sublicensing, withdrawal rights, warranties about ownership, and what happens if the material is delivered late or cannot be used. Clear wording matters because vague permission can create problems when content is reused, adapted, or distributed more widely than first planned.

Tailoring depends on the asset, the chain of rights, and how the material will actually be used. A one-off social post using a licensed image is very different from a multi-channel campaign using music, performer content, branded visuals, or footage supplied through an agency. We would usually look at whether the permission needs to cover edits, paid advertising, sublicensing, overseas use, future campaigns, or use by related parties. If another party sits between you and the rights owner, the drafting also needs to match that structure so the permission is clear and commercially workable.

A free template can be risky if the content has real commercial value or the proposed use is broader than a simple one-off permission. Templates often use general wording that does not properly define the asset, the approved channels, the term, or who is responsible if the rights turn out to be incomplete. That can leave gaps around edits, paid promotions, overseas distribution, or later reuse. A tailored clearance agreement is usually more useful where multiple parties are involved, the content may be repurposed, or a client, broadcaster, or platform is likely to ask for precise rights documentation.

Timing depends on the quality of the information available and whether the commercial terms with the rights holder are already agreed. In most matters, the practical next step is to provide the material details, who owns the rights, how you want to use it, where it will appear, and whether any draft permission wording already exists. If there are multiple assets, unclear ownership, or negotiation with the other side, timeframes can vary. Requirements and timeframes can vary by jurisdiction if the project is being distributed internationally or involves rights granted under different legal systems.

Submit an enquiry on this page or click 'Get started'. One of our legal consultants will review it within 1 business day and get in touch to understand what you need.

Your consultant will then email you a fixed-fee quote setting out the cost, scope and timing. If you're happy with it, you can accept the quote and sign our engagement letter online.

Once you've accepted, one of our Australian-qualified lawyers will work with you to complete your project. They'll contact you by email or phone if they need anything.

Sprintlaw works on fixed-fee pricing wherever possible, so you can review the scope and cost before you decide whether to proceed. For the Clearance Agreement service, pricing starts from $900.00.

After you enquire, a legal consultant will confirm what is included, the expected timing and whether any extra work is needed before you engage us.

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Your work is done by our Australian-qualified lawyers, who hold Australian practising certificates and specialise in business law. None of them are New Zealand lawyers or hold a New Zealand practising certificate.

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