Tiny Desk AI photo permissions: people, pictures and sharing

Check three separate permissions before making a Tiny Desk AI video

A photograph being public, appearing in a group chat or showing your own face is not enough to answer all three questions. This checklist describes how to use this service responsibly. Its Acceptable Use Policy and Terms set the service rules; they do not provide legal clearance for a particular campaign or jurisdiction.

Ask the adult about the AI performance, not just the photograph

Explain that their likeness will guide a newly generated, fictional desk-concert performance. They may appear to sing, laugh or play an instrument even though they did not record that performance. Explain whether it is a private joke, a public social post or something connected with a workplace or business. Ask before uploading; the checkbox records your confirmation, not the other person’s consent.

A practical message is: “May I use this photo of you to make an AI-generated desk-concert video? It may show you performing a fictional concert. I plan to share it with [the intended audience].” Replace the bracketed audience and discuss the intended use; this example is a conversation starter, not a universal release form. Do not upload someone’s photograph if their answer is unclear.

For one-face/five-role mode, explain that one likeness may appear as all five performers. For a whole-group photo, ask every identifiable adult rather than treating the sender as speaking for the group. Tiny Desk Generator does not verify consent on each person’s behalf. See how repeated casting works and the scene and input options.

Check permission to use the photograph separately from likeness consent

The U.S. Copyright Office’s photographer guide explains that original photographs can receive copyright protection when made. Being the person shown is a different role from making or controlling the photograph. A photographer, employer or other rights holder may need to permit the intended reuse.

Start with a photo you took yourself, or check the relevant permission or licence. Do not assume a watermark-free social image, a paid portrait session or crediting the photographer automatically covers an AI adaptation or advertisement. Keep the rights holder’s permission and the adult’s agreement available for your own records. For an unclear licence or commercial campaign, obtain suitable advice before uploading.

A viral public-figure example does not change this site’s rules

Use yourself or other consenting adults. Public-figure impersonation, non-consensual intimate content, harmful deception and prohibited material are not allowed. Calling a video a meme or parody does not override our service policy. Do not ask the generator to make a named celebrity or real coach appear to endorse your team, product or organisation.

The product creates new performance imagery. It does not insert your face into official concert footage. A local storyboard is a planning illustration, not proof of consent, a video result or permission to copy the source reference. If an upload is blocked, do not repeatedly re-submit the same prohibited request to evade a restriction.

Check music and audience again before publishing the finished video

New setups are silent by default. Optional AI instrumental music is separate from the original Outstanding recording, lyrics or an artist voice. Buying generation credits does not include a blanket music or commercial-use licence. If you add another track in a social app, check that platform’s terms and the permissions for your account and post.

Present the video as AI-generated. Avoid a caption that suggests a real performance, official affiliation or endorsement. A friend’s agreement to a private group-chat joke does not necessarily cover posting it publicly or using it in a paid advertisement. For platform disclosure and output framing, use the sharing guide.

If you believe your photo or likeness was used without permission, use the misuse reporting route. Include the relevant page or job reference and explain the concern. Do not send identification documents or private credentials in an ordinary message. Our deletion page distinguishes site-managed deletion from provider or required billing records.