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A model with whom I shot a video a couple of months ago for which she was paid, did not sign the model release and despite all attempts at communication, now just ignores phone calls, SMS and emails. that means I have paid her and cannot sell the video, she hasn't given a particular reason.

I need advice on what to do next, as this can be considered a breach of contract.

Thanks

Sue her.

Sue her how? she agreed to having her self video,d, therfore completing her end of the deal, she didn,t sign a model release, so her material cant be used legally, trying to get her to sign now, would surely be very difficult, this should have been stated in the original contract, if it was, was it in writing? if it was verbal, it would be very hard to prove it and very costly, I would imagine.......of course you could use the material anyway, then the onus would be the other way round, and she would have to prove it was not verbally agreed, also very costly, but for her as well this time..

She agreed to do a job, signing a release is part of the job, so she hasn't fulfilled her part of the deal.

EverHard,it's all agreed beforehand,shoot takes place,release signed,money paid in that order -or,at least,should be.
Seems to work well enough.
Must be a set of circumstances peculiar to this bkng for PR to fall for that I'd imagine.

In UK law...

The photographer automatically owns the copyright to any material he shoots. He is the creator of that image/film.

This is an unusual quirk in our laws. He only loses ownership to the copyright if a written document is assigned to someone else.

Thats why I mentioned using it anyway, then the onus is on the model to object to her image bieng used without her permission, tricky.....where,s Ironside when u need him?

that is all well and good but is anyone going to buy it without a model release?

Just a couple of point to clarify.
Was it made clear to the model before the shoot that the material was for publication and did the fee reflect that a release would be signed.