How Do I Obtain Permission to Use UGC from Contest Participants?
Ask for it when people enter, in writing, and keep the record. In Gleam that's three steps:
- Add a clause to your Terms & Conditions that says how you'll use submissions, for example: "I agree that [Brand] may use my submission in its marketing, including its website, social media and email." Writing custom terms needs the Hobby Plan and above.
- On the Pre-Entry tab, click Add Field and add the Terms & Conditions field, so entrants have to tick that they agree before they enter (Custom Fields are on the Business Plan and above).
- Collect the content with an Upload Action (Business Plan and above), or a platform Action such as Select a Pin.
Name every place you'll use the content. "Promotional purposes" is vague, and vague consent is easy to dispute. Keep an export of your entries with the version of the terms that was live while they came in.
Caution
Consent rules vary by country, and a photo or video showing other people, or with music in it, can need their permission too. This isn't legal advice, so talk to a lawyer before a large campaign.
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New York Contest and Sweepstakes Laws
Yes. Chance promotions with over $5,000 in prizes must be filed with the NY Secretary of State 30 days ahead and bonded or held in trust.