Model Releases In the Wrong Language?
 

Is a model release written in say 'English', signed by say a 'Russian' girl who doesn't speak or read 'English' still legally binding?

I would guess so, but flimsily.

There is a section on a contract that says "I have fully read this and understood it"

Do you want to stand in front of a judge and tell them that's true with a model who can't read English?

Bottom line is it depends on the laws of the country.

But how much would it cost to go to a legal translator and get a model release translated?

I know we do, but then documetation was always important to me.

A few years agoa big magazine publisher started to fuck with us over Second Rights, this is where they pay to republish pictures. I pointed out to them that I held all the Czech model releases and if a model did decide to sue them in the US a Czech release would come in handy.

They started to pay us for Second Rights again.

A friend of mine shoots alot of content with czech girls, all model releases are done in english and czech language, that's probably the safest way.

On the other hand, let's face the facts: The probability that an eastern european girl knows how to sue you in the US or has enough money to do so is almost neglegtable, I doubt there are many who have a clue what happens with the content and where it is published. They want to make fast money.

Until some American attorney clues up on the money to be made, I think you're right.

Or some girls Dad/boyfriend/relative finds the pics and wants to make some money out of them. I also wear a seat belt just in case shit happens.

The funny thing is that I asked couple of my costumers what type of MRF they want:
- English only
- English and German
- English and native language of model;
and all of them give me the same answer: ENGLISH ONLY...

:2 cents:

give your customers the english version but keep the others for yourself.