StormChasingVideo.com, LLC manages, represents, and licenses video footage owned by the company, its contributors, stringers, and affiliated content providers.
Watermarked previews are provided solely for evaluation and licensing purposes. Unless otherwise authorized in writing, footage and previews may not be downloaded, reposted, reproduced, broadcast, edited, redistributed, displayed on social media, incorporated into another production, or otherwise used publicly.
To license footage, contact the StormChasingVideo.com News Desk. To report a suspected unauthorized use, use our Contact page and include a link, screenshot, broadcast information, or other details that will help us investigate.
Does Fair Use Apply?
Fair use is determined case by case under United States copyright law. Describing a video as “news,” “commentary,” “educational,” or “documentary” does not automatically make the use fair.
Courts consider several factors, including why and how the footage was used, the nature of the copyrighted work, how much of the footage was used, and whether the use affects the existing or potential licensing market for the footage.
StormChasingVideo.com is a professional footage-licensing business. Our legitimate news, documentary, production, and digital-media clients obtain licenses before using represented footage. Reposting footage to build an audience, promote a social-media account, monetize a channel, or substitute for obtaining a license may result in a copyright claim or enforcement action.
Anyone who believes a particular use is legally permitted should obtain advice from a qualified copyright attorney. StormChasingVideo.com does not waive any rights or remedies by displaying a preview publicly.
Copyright Enforcement
StormChasingVideo.com actively monitors television broadcasts, websites, social-media platforms, streaming services, documentaries, commercial productions, and other media for unauthorized use of footage that we own, represent, or are authorized to enforce.
Depending on the circumstances, unauthorized use may result in:
- A retroactive licensing claim
- A platform copyright complaint or takedown request
- A demand to preserve records and evidence
- Referral to legal counsel
- Litigation or other remedies available under copyright law
Federal law provides a formal notice-and-takedown process for reporting infringing material hosted by qualifying online service providers.
StormChasingVideo.com works with legal counsel and copyright-enforcement professionals when appropriate. Removing an unauthorized upload after it has been discovered does not necessarily resolve liability for prior use.
Copyright Bounty
Have you found StormChasingVideo.com footage being used without authorization?
Our Copyright Bounty program may reward individuals who provide useful information that leads to a successful recovery from an unauthorized user.
For an eligible report, StormChasingVideo.com will normally pay the reporting party 5% of the net amount actually recovered, up to a maximum bounty of $3,000. “Net amount recovered” means funds received by StormChasingVideo.com after attorneys’ fees and case-specific enforcement expenses have been deducted.
For example, if an eligible report leads to a net recovery of $15,000, the reporting party’s bounty would normally be $750.
Basic Eligibility
To qualify, a report generally must:
- Identify a specific suspected unauthorized use
- Include enough information for us to locate and document the use
- Concern about a use that was not already known to StormChasingVideo.com
- Materially assist in a successful financial recovery
- Be submitted lawfully and without misrepresentation, harassment, unauthorized access, or interference with evidence
Only the first eligible person to report a particular use may receive a bounty. Duplicate reports, licensed uses, inaccurate reports, and reports that do not result in a collected recovery are not eligible for payment.
Bounties are paid only after the matter is resolved and recovered funds have been received and cleared. StormChasingVideo.com determines eligibility based on its records and the circumstances of each claim. Additional written terms may apply.
Why We Offer a Bounty
Unauthorized use causes substantial losses to independent videographers and footage-licensing businesses. It also places unauthorized users at an unfair advantage over legitimate clients who obtain permission and pay the appropriate licensing fees.
Our contributors often work in dangerous conditions and invest significant time, travel, equipment, and resources to document important events. The Copyright Bounty program helps us identify unauthorized uses while supporting the people who create the footage.
Report Suspected Unauthorized Use
Please provide as much information as possible:
- A direct link to the video or page
- The account, channel, program, network, or production name
- Screenshots or screen recordings
- The date and approximate time of the use
- Any identifying title, caption, episode, or broadcast information
- Your name and contact information
Use the Contact page and select or mention Copyright Bounty Report in your message.
Need Licensing Help?
For licensing questions, contact the StormChasingVideo.com News Desk at 732-867-8676 or use the Contact page.