AI Training Model Release Form Template
AI training rights are the new fault line in model releases. A standard release written before the generative-AI era says nothing about whether a model’s likeness can be used to train a machine-learning system — and silence is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Buyers of training data now demand releases that grant those rights explicitly, and models increasingly demand releases that deny them explicitly.
This template takes the affirmative position: it grants AI and machine-learning training rights in clear terms, as part of the stated consideration. Use it when the shoot is destined for datasets, AI product development, or licensing deals where training rights are part of the value. If you want the opposite default — likeness use without AI training — use the standard template instead.
Download the PDF — free, no emailWhat the release says
I, the undersigned model named below ("Model"), confirm that I am of legal age and have the right to grant this release. In exchange for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which I acknowledge, I grant the photographer named below ("Photographer") and any third parties acting with the Photographer's authorization the rights described in this release.
I grant the Photographer the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free right to use, reproduce, distribute, display, edit, adapt, and publish photographs, video, and other recordings of me ("Materials") created on the shoot date stated below, for the purposes described under "Scope of Use" below.
I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished Materials, and I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from the use of the Materials within the granted Scope of Use. The Photographer retains all copyright in the Materials.
AI training rights: I expressly grant the Photographer and their authorized licensees the right to use the Materials to train, fine-tune, validate, and develop artificial-intelligence and machine-learning models, datasets, and systems. This grant is included in the consideration acknowledged above and does not entitle me to additional compensation.
I release the Photographer and their assigns from any claims arising from use of the Materials within the granted Scope of Use, including without limitation claims for libel, defamation, invasion of privacy, and right of publicity, except for use that is materially false or that defames me.
This release is binding on me, my heirs, and my legal representatives. I have read this release before signing and I understand it.
Common questions
- Why does AI training need its own clause?
- Because courts and legislatures haven’t settled whether a generic "use and reproduce" grant covers ML training. An explicit clause removes the ambiguity in both directions: the model knows exactly what they’re agreeing to, and the buyer of the dataset gets a clean chain of consent.
- Should the model be paid more for AI training rights?
- That’s a negotiation, not a legal requirement. This template folds AI rights into the general consideration, but many photographers price AI-inclusive releases higher. If you agree separate compensation, record it in the scope-of-use section.
- What if the model only wants to allow some AI uses?
- Narrow the grant in the scope-of-use section — for example "AI training limited to internal model development, excluding likeness-generation products." The clause grants what the scope describes, so the scope text controls.
- Does the standard template forbid AI training?
- Yes — the standard version of this release explicitly denies AI training rights unless the scope of use grants them. The two templates are mirror images of the same default.
Skip the paperwork
Printing, signing, scanning, filing — or a link your model opens on their phone. Signed releases land in both inboxes automatically, timestamped and locked.
Get it signed digitally — freeRelated templates
These templates are general-purpose starting points, not legal advice. Adapt them to your shoot and jurisdiction.