Freezer Burn Media & Social Media Policy

Revised: Apr 2023

General Information

No public for profit use of images is allowed without written consent.

Freezer Burn values all forms of artistic expression and is committed to a radically participatory ethic. This means that the event is not intended for spectators, and everyone who enters the event must have a ticket. Freezer Burn is a participatory event where everyone is welcome to contribute to the art and culture of the event. This commitment to radical inclusion means that anyone can buy a ticket and participate in the event, regardless of background, experience, or skill level. This policy helps to create a diverse and engaged community of participants who are all actively involved in the creation and enjoyment of the event.

Freezer Burn is a private event on private land and anyone wishing to capture images intended for non-personal use or large scale distribution are required to register their intent to capture images and or video, and sign a Media usage agreement. Every submission is reviewed by the Media Team, which will provide written permission to capture images at the event.

While self-expression is highly encouraged, we must also be guided by our principle of Decommodification. Freezer Burn “brand” images, video, and audio cannot be used in a commercial manner, or to promote any products, brands, or services. Any image use beyond personal use, must be approved in writing post-event before the image is made non-personal or for profit.

Equipment

Personal use cameras, such as those used by hobbyists, are permitted at Freezer Burn and do not require registration or written permission from the Media Team. However, professional photographers who plan to capture and document the event in a more formal or commercial capacity must register their projects and equipment with the Media Team using the appropriate form. This registration process will give them a personal media designation, which will help them gain access to certain areas and avoid situations where they may be asked to stop recording an activity. If the project requires crew to support the activities, they must register as a Crew as well.

Media Pass

Anyone who plans to capture visual media at Freezer Burn and use the content for public display, such as in a commercial or promotional capacity, must apply for a Media Pass and sign the professional use contract on the Freezer Burn website before capturing any content. All members of the media who plan to use event imagery for public display must check in with the Media Lead upon arriving at Freezer Burn. This helps to ensure that all media activities are coordinated and supervised by the appropriate authorities and that the policies and guidelines related to media documentation are followed.

Consent

If a participant has been granted media access at Freezer Burn, it is their responsibility to seek consent from anyone they wish to photograph or include in their media content. They should respect the privacy and rights of all participants and seek permission before taking any photographs or filming any videos. If a photographer is asked to stop by a participant, they must comply immediately. The photographer also has the responsibility not to interfere with the immediate experience of other participants. In addition, the Media Team may ask for proof of consent before granting permission to display an image publicly.

If an image violates the privacy or rights of another participant, it should be removed and not displayed. All photographers should obtain written permission from the Media Team before using any images or videos captured at the event.

Respect

In today's age of immediate online posting and long-term online data storage, it's important to take images and videos responsibly. As a general rule, if you wouldn't want a video of yourself in a particular situation, you shouldn't take a video of anyone else in that situation. When in doubt, it's always better to err on the side of compassion and respect for others.

It's important to remember that the internet never forgets, and online pictures and videos are permanent. So, it's crucial to be mindful of the impact that our media content may have on others and to act responsibly when capturing and sharing media content from events like Freezer Burn.

Personal vs Non-personal Use

Personal Use Media:

Personal Use media can be defined as any form of media designed for use by an individual person for interpersonal communication and personalized expression. Participants are welcomed to use photos, videos, and audio recordings obtained at the event for their own personal use, which includes:

Sharing experiences with loved ones, such as photos or videos of an event with family members who were unable to attend.
Sharing experiences with immediate friends and family online communities, by posting photos or videos on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
Creating personal content such as a photo album, video montage or audio recording.
Documenting personal experiences and keeping memories of events
Personal reflection, such as listening to audio recordings or watching video recordings of past events.
Used for self-expression such as creating art or music, or writing personal blogs or journals.

Even if your images and videos are for Personal Use, you must read, understand, and follow the Photo & Video Rights and Responsibilities. Every participant with a camera has a responsibility to be respectful to the community and its members!

Non-personal Use Media:

If you wish to use any photo, video, or audio from the event for any non-personal use, you must apply as Professional Use Media for the Freezer Burn event. We require this registration process to protect the privacy and other rights of participants and to prevent commercial exploitation of Freezer Burn. Non Personal use includes:

Publishing photos in a printed or online book, magazine, or newspaper.
Using footage in a professional quality video.
Displaying images on a non-personal website or in a gallery show.
Using imagery in a documentary or TV show.
Distributing media to any third-party group or publication. This includes offering photos for publication, or making any commercial or promotional use of event media.

A general rule of thumb for whether a use is non-personal: Is the event imagery being used for financial gain, OR being widely distributed beyond your personal network of friends and family? If either of these is true, please apply as Professional Use Media by contacting freezerburnmedianorth@gmail.com. You are also responsible for obtaining clear and informed consent from the subjects in your photos. If your image violates the privacy or other rights of another participant, you should not display it in any public manner. If you did not pre-register as a professional shooter at the event, you may apply for permission later if you or someone else wishes to make non-personal use of your images. But you must obtain our written permission before the use is made.

Freezer Burn Media Pass Holder

As a Media pass holder, you have certain rights and responsibilities when it comes to your involvement in the event. Here are some of the key points to keep in mind:

Rights:

The right to express yourself creatively, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others or violate any laws or regulations.
The right to document the event through photography, video, or other forms of media, as long as you respect the privacy and consent of other participants and obtain any necessary permissions for commercial use.
The right to access and enjoy public land, as long as you follow all applicable rules and regulations.

Responsibilities:

To respect the principles of the Burning Man culture, including radical self-expression, communal effort, and leaving no trace.
To obtain any necessary permits or permissions for filming or photography, and to respect the privacy and consent of other participants.
To follow all applicable rules and regulations for public land use, including fire safety guidelines and guidelines for waste disposal.
To act responsibly and respectfully towards other participants, and to avoid engaging in behavior that could put yourself or others in danger.

By exercising your rights and fulfilling your responsibilities as a participant or member of the media team, you can help ensure that Freezer Burn remains a safe, welcoming, and creative environment for all who attend

Photo & Video Rights and Responsibilities

You have the right to express yourself and create art as a photographer, videographer, and/or audio artist.
Unless you have prior written permission from the Freezer Burn Production Committee and/or its delegates, you may only use photos, videos, or audio obtained at the event for personal use.
You are responsible for respecting the participants you wish to record and seeking their permission before photographing or filming them. If you are asked to stop filming, you must do so immediately. You have the responsibility not to interfere with the immediate experience of other participants.
The Freezer Burn symbol, the phrases “Freezer Burn” and “Black Rock City,” the design of the Freezer Burn (aka “the Man”), as well as other key city infrastructure are protected by trademark and/or copyright law. In keeping with the principle of Decommodification, these trademarks and copyrights may not be used for any commercial or third-party purposes without Freezer Burn’s written consent. Our Ticket Terms and Conditions cover our media policies in depth. By using your ticket to enter the event, you accept and agree to these policies. Failure to comply with these or any other media policies is grounds for eviction from the event and may bar entry in future years.

Professional Use Rights and Responsibilities

Anyone who plans to shoot video or photography at the Freezer Burn event for non-personal use must apply with Freezer Burn before filming and sign a professional use contract. “Non-personal use” means any use that is commercial and/or widely distributed beyond one’s personal network of friends and family.
All members of the media—and anyone else who plans to make non-personal use of event imagery—must check in at First Response upon arriving at Freezer Burn
If you fail to register or receive approval for your project, but you record event imagery for your project anyway, you are trespassing. Trespassers have no rights to any use of event imagery, and Freezer Burn reserves the right to take any necessary action against trespassers.
Professional use contracts are required to sell any imagery from the Freezer Burn event. We do not permit online sales, or the sale or distribution of photos or videos via stock agencies.
Before professional use contract holders can publish any event imagery, they must obtain written permission from an authorized member of Freezer Burn’s Communications Department. Such written permission may be subject to restrictions, including granting Freezer Burn a license to display your imagery in Freezer Burn communications.
Freezer Burn forbids the making of profit from the documentation of nudity at the event without the express written permission of the subjects and Freezer Burn.
You must use model releases for all recognizable individuals. We may ask for verification of these releases before granting permission to use an image or footage commercially.
The copyright of a design, written work, artwork, or performance is owned by the person or group who created it. You must ask permission before capturing such artwork and performances and obtain signed model/property license(s) or release(s) from all appropriate parties.

Permissions

Freezer Burn requires all Media Pass holders to obtain written permission from an authorized member of the Media Team or Production Committee before publishing any event imagery. The written permission may include restrictions on the use of the imagery, such as granting the Production Committee a license to display the imagery in Freezer Burn communications. Without prior written permission, Media Pass holders are only allowed to use photos, videos, or audio obtained at the event for private use, such as sharing with friends and family or for personal reflection. This policy is in place to protect the privacy and other rights of event participants and to prevent commercial exploitation of Freezer Burn.

Intellectual Property

The Freezer Burn symbols, the phrase "Freezer Burn", and the design of the Freezer Burn Effigy (aka "the Man") are intellectual property of the LEA (The League of Extraordinary Albertans). As per the principle of Decommodification, this intellectual property cannot be used for any commercial or third-party purposes without the LEA's written consent. Decommodification is one of the core principles of the Burning Man community, which seeks to create a space that is free from commercial sponsorship, advertising, and transactions. This policy is in place to maintain the non-commercial nature of Freezer Burn and to ensure that its symbols and designs are not exploited for commercial gain.

Copyrights

The copyright of a design, written work, artwork, or performance is owned by the person or group who created it, and it is protected under copyright laws. If you wish to capture such artwork or performances, you must ask for permission from the creator or copyright holder before doing so. Additionally, you may need to obtain a signed model/property license(s) or release(s) from all appropriate parties, including performers or individuals who may appear in the captured media. This is necessary to ensure that the captured media does not infringe on any copyrights or other rights of the creators or participants involved.

Identification

Freezer Burn has strict policies regarding event identification, and anyone found inside the event without proper identification is considered to be trespassing. Trespassers will be evicted from the event immediately and may be prosecuted by local law enforcement. In addition, any recording equipment found with the trespasser may be temporarily confiscated, and all recording media may be erased to protect the privacy and safety of the event participants. These policies are in place to ensure that the event remains safe and secure, and that the privacy and rights of participants are protected.

What can I do with my photos and footage of Freezer Burn?

You can share them with your friends, family, and campmates. You can post them on a personal website or on your personal social networks, such as Flickr and Facebook. You can show them at a private party. You may also use photographs or footage taken at the event for your theme camp or art project fundraiser, as long as the project is intended as a gift for the Freezer Burn community. You cannot post event photos or footage on a commercial website—including a business’s social network account—or a self-promotional portfolio website, nor can you sell them or place them on products for sale, such as prints or t-shirts.

If you want to share your imagery beyond your immediate network or with large audiences, or use your imagery professionally (such as editorially or in a book or film project), you will need to register with Freezer Burn.

Some common examples of using footage of Freezer Burn:

Posting images from the Freezer Burn event on Facebook, or any other social media platform, that is not your personal or one of our official pages — please contact us
Using video footage from the Fraya in connection with your Kickstarter campaign (if the funds will be used specifically for the project’s operation at a sanctioned Burning Man event)—please contact us
Selling or licensing images captured at Freezer Burn, or objects including such images—NOT OK! Please contact your lawyer
Filming a music video for a band or DJ—NOT OK!
Staging fashion shoots or otherwise using images in advertisements or promotions for a company, product, or service—NOT OK!

What can I do if someone uses my media or a picture of me without my permission?

The Freezer Burn Communications Team is here to help you! The best thing to do is to first contact the site or organization yourself and let them know that either your copyrighted work is being used without your permission or an image of you is being used without consent and is in violation of the Freezer Burn Media Policy. If that does not work or you don’t get a response, you can contact our media team with a link and information about the use of media. From there, Freezer Burn can assist you through a number of avenues, including reaching out to the site or organization with a comprehensive explanation of our media policy.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Media team.