Model releases for non-Englsih speaking models

westie · #1 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 02:07 PM

What to do about models who do not speak English and will not sign a model release unless it is their own language. Understandable, they won't sign something they don't understand. I would be the same if a photographer asked me to sign a model release in say Russian. I have no idea what I am signing, so I won't. We (my SigOther and I) have a large number of people photographs which we would like to upload as non-editorial - musicians especially marimba players. We can get model releases for them - but the model releases are not in English. Our next door neighbore is a certified translator and she has translated the releases for us.

Will microstock sites accept a release that is bilingual, meaning the original and translation are on the same page as two separate paragraphs? I can't get an answer from the stock sites.

KC86 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 06:08 PM

Why not just have them sign the english one, that you got from the agency, after letting them read the translation?

thesupe87 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 06:13 PM

try google translate - or another online translater? maybe? II'm sure it wouldn't be perfect, but it'd get the point across.

westie · #4 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC86

Why not just have them sign the english one, that you got from the agency, after letting them read the translation?

I tried that, they won't sign unless it is in Spanish. Would you be certain you were signing the same document if it was presented to you in English to read, then you are handed the actual document that needs to be signed and on file in say Russian?

westie · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesupe87

try google translate - or another online translater? maybe? II'm sure it wouldn't be perfect, but it'd get the point across.

I don't have a problem getting it translated, there are two certified translators living on my street. I need to find out what is acceptable for the stock agencies. I'm thinking, both on one page with the signatures at the bottom along with the photo ids, etc. Fill out both the English and Spanish version identically and they just sign one page.

thesupe87 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 10:17 PM

Good idea - like on the back of many products we see out there on the market (ie motor oil)

CJPHoto · #7 (**permalink**) 08-01-2006, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westie

Will microstock sites accept a release that is bilingual, meaning the original and translation are on the same page as two separate paragraphs? I can't get an answer from the stock sites.

If you know anything about New Zealand history and the Treaty of Waitangi, bi lingal agreements are a nightmare. Some words, even when translated properly have different meanings. Having said that, Part of Canada is Bilingal (everything must be in both english and French).

Ask the agencies. They will be the only ones that can give a difinitive answer.

westie · #8 (**permalink**) 08-01-2006, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJPHoto

Quote:

Originally Posted by westie

Will microstock sites accept a release that is bilingual, meaning the original and translation are on the same page as two separate paragraphs? I can't get an answer from the stock sites.

If you know anything about New Zealand history and the Treaty of Waitangi, bi lingal agreements are a nightmare. Some words, even when translated properly have different meanings. Having said that, Part of Canada is Bilingal (everything must be in both english and French).

Ask the agencies. They will be the only ones that can give a difinitive answer.

That was the problem..the agencies were NOT responding. I finally did get an answer from SS and they said to do it exactly as I was planning on doing it. Both the English and Spanish versions filled out, on one page, with the signatures under the spanish version. BTW, A local lawyer who is fluently bilingual is doing the translation, so it should be ok under Honduran law as well as US law.

hospitalera · #9 (**permalink**) 08-04-2006, 12:08 AM

I know that Fotolia works simultanous in 4 languages, they should have a model release in spanish for you, if you still can't get it let me know and I contact some spanish speaking friends who submit to Fotolia!!! Hope that helps SY