Copyright preflight before publishing

A copyright preflight does not “clear” a work. It organizes the evidence needed to decide whether every image, clip, recording, lyric, logo and performance has an identified source and an adequate permission basis.

The five-record check

Identify the creator and original source of every third-party asset.
Record the licence, permitted use, territory, platform and expiry.
Preserve receipts, releases and written permissions.
Check whether attribution, disclosure or platform-specific terms apply.
Replace assets whose rights cannot be documented.

Run the copy and rights-record pass in PublishReady, then use the destination platform’s own checks before publication.

Worked example: a promotional video

For a video using an externally sourced photo, music and a voice performance, keep a separate record for each asset. A music purchase receipt is not automatically a synchronization licence, and permission for one platform may not cover a paid advertisement on another. The preflight should identify the intended use first, then compare that use with the permission actually recorded. Escalate unclear rights rather than marking the entire project cleared.

Make uncertainty visible

Use statuses such as permission documented, needs clarification and replace asset. Preserve the licence text or written permission with its date and source; a link alone may stop working. Record attribution requirements and modification restrictions. Our tool organizes your declarations and detects missing records; it does not search every rights database or establish a legal exception. For a disputed or commercially significant use, obtain qualified advice before publishing.

Review the final export

Check the finished work against the asset record, including background music, thumbnails and material added during editing. A cleared draft can change before publication. Retain the exported version and supporting permissions together so another reviewer can reproduce the decision. A platform accepting an upload does not establish that every underlying right has been resolved.