The Shield Against Lawsuits
A clearance log is one of the most critical legal documents in film production. It is a meticulously maintained spreadsheet or database that tracks every single element appearing in a film that could potentially require legal permission or ‘clearance’ to use. The purpose of the log is to ensure that the final film does not infringe on any copyrights, trademarks, or rights of privacy, thereby protecting the production from costly lawsuits and injunctions. The log is managed by the production’s legal counsel or a dedicated clearance coordinator.
What Gets Tracked?
A clearance log is incredibly detailed, tracking the status of a vast array of on-screen and off-screen elements:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Intellectual Property | Brand names (e.g., Coca-Cola), company logos, book covers, artwork, posters, video clips. |
| Personal Identity | Character names, names of businesses, addresses, phone numbers (must be ‘555’ numbers). |
| Music | Every piece of licensed music, including the rights for the composition and the master recording. |
| Locations & Property | Signed location agreements for all private properties used for filming. |
| Talent & Likeness | Signed releases from all actors, including extras, allowing their likeness to be used. |
| Stock Footage & Photos | Licenses for any third-party archival footage or photographs used. |
For each item, the log will detail its status: ‘Cleared,’ ‘License Obtained,’ ‘Public Domain,’ ‘Pending,’ or ‘Cannot Use.’ This log is a key part of the ‘deliverables’ package required by distributors and insurance companies before a film can be released.