Who signs the property release? If I own something, can I sign the release?

A property release must be signed by the person or company that created the property (art, etc.) or controls the rights to the property (locations, businesses). The fact that an individual purchased an item is insufficient for a property release. For example, if someone buys a print of one of your photos to hang on their wall, they can’t sign a property release allowing the use of your printed photo in a commercial; you still own the copyright.

Homes and businesses

The person or company that occupies the space (as an owner or long-term renter/lessee) must sign the release. For example, if you are renting an apartment, you would sign the property release for your unit with your items in the space, but the building’s management company would sign the release for any common areas outside of your apartment or for any empty, unrented apartments. The same applies to a commercial space, where the interiors of the workspaces can be released by the business occupying them, but any common areas in that building would need to be released by the landlord. If you aren’t sure who should sign a release, contact support in advance and the legal team can advise.

Short-term rentals (i.e. Airbnb spaces, hotel rooms, etc.)

A short-term rental full of someone else’s furniture and décor needs a release from the person who controls the space long-term (not from the vacation renter). Staying in a space does not create a right to ownership.

Art

In most cases, the original artist would need to sign a release. If the art piece is a work-for-hire (for example, a business hired an artist to paint a mural under a work-for-hire agreement), the business owner will sign as the copyright holder to the work.

AI-Generated Art

AI-generated artwork cannot currently be protected by copyright, so you cannot sign a property release, even if you are the author of the prompt that led to the artwork being generated. We don't accept content where AI-generated artwork has been used as a prop. Read more. 

Tattoos

The tattoo artist would sign. If someone designs their own tattoo, they will sign the release. If someone designs their own tattoo and a tattoo artist alters it, the original artist will sign for their creation, and the tattoo artist will sign for their alterations.

Corporations as Owners

You must do your due diligence to find a person at the company who is authorized to sign the property release. The person sitting at the front desk may not be authorized to sign a property release on behalf of the business.