As explained in the introductory page to "Managing the Idea", the law gives directors copyright in their contribution to a television programme. It is therefore necessary for the producer to obtain an assignment of that copyright, or at least a licence to it.

The only industry agreement that deals with directors’ copyright in independent productions is the one between the Producers’ Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) and the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU). You can find a summary of this agreement under the "crew" icon under "Managing the People" on these pages.

If you engage a director under the terms of the PACT/BECTU agreement, most of your copyright worries are dealt with. If you do not, you should ensure that the contract terms include an assignment of copyright to you.

Most of the PACT/BECTU agreement deals with terms and conditions of work for all categories of freelances working behind the camera, but it does specify that anyone engaged under its terms automatically assigns any copyright or similar rights created as a result of his/her work to the producer.

If your programme has cinema exhibition, your director (and your writer and composer) benefit from EU law which gives them what it calls