After we deliver your UGC video, you get the usage rights you paid for, and you only “own” the video outright if our paperwork includes a written rights transfer (assignment) or a work-for-hire clause that fits U.S. copyright rules.
In plain terms, most UGC projects are sold as a license: you can post and run the finished edit in specific places for a specific period, while the creator keeps the underlying copyright unless it’s transferred in writing. That setup is normal in UGC because creators price around where the video will run (organic vs paid ads), how long it will run, and whether it’s exclusive. When Orlando businesses ask us this, the real question is usually “Can we run this as ads on Meta or TikTok, and for how long?” That is usage rights, not just file delivery.
What you typically get vs what changes “ownership”
| Common setup | What you can do | What you do not get by default | When it’s a good fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard license (organic) | Post on your brand accounts, use on your website and email, edit for length/captions | Unlimited paid ads usage, exclusivity, full copyright ownership | Organic content, product pages, ongoing social posting |
| Paid ads license | Run the video in paid campaigns on approved platforms for an agreed term | Perpetual paid usage, transfer to unrelated third parties, exclusivity | Meta/Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts ads where spend is planned |
| Full buyout or assignment | Broad rights, often including long-term use and wider reuse | Some limits can still apply (music, likeness, third-party logos) | High spend campaigns, long shelf-life brands, evergreen ads |
| Whitelisting (creator licensing) | Run ads from the creator’s handle (Spark Ads or similar) with explicit permission | Ownership is not implied; access is permission-based | When creator handle and social proof are part of performance |
If you want help choosing the right package for your channels and budget, our UGC video service is built around clear deliverables and clear usage so you know exactly how you can use the creative the day it lands.
The details that trip businesses up
Usage duration and platforms: A video can be delivered today and still be limited to 30, 90, or 180 days of ad usage, or limited to certain platforms. If you plan to keep winners running, negotiate longer terms up front so you are not rebuilding your ad library mid-campaign.
Raw footage vs final edit: Getting the edited file does not automatically include raw clips, project files, or every take. If you want raw footage for future cutdowns, new hooks, or in-house editing, ask for it in the scope and expect it to be priced separately.
Music and third-party assets: Ownership and usage rights do not magically cover copyrighted music or audio. Trending sounds can be restricted for business ad accounts, and platform rules can change. A clean approach is using properly licensed audio or platform-approved music for ads, then keeping documentation with the deliverables.
Creator portfolio use: Many creators ask to use the content in their portfolio unless you negotiate exclusivity or confidentiality. If you are in healthcare, legal, or a sensitive niche, it’s smart to decide this early so there are no surprises after launch.
Resale or sharing with partners: If you want to hand the video to a franchisee, distributor, sister brand, or another agency, that is usually outside a basic license and should be written into your agreement.
If you want a quick way to sanity-check what you’re buying, read our breakdown of UGC usage rights, then match it to how you actually plan to use the creative (organic, paid, or both) before you approve the brief.
We can walk you through the options in plain English and structure the rights around your real media plan. If you need legal interpretation for a specific contract scenario, a Florida attorney can review the language quickly, but most businesses just need the scope and usage terms written clearly before production starts.
