Video Copyright

I have a friend who is wanting to put videos of ballet performances on his website as a friend recorded him in various performances. He lives in the UK and I realse that this area is governed by UK laws, but would there be any copyright implications in placing these videos on a website for people to view?

If the content is his to exploit then it's fine. Otherwise it doesn't matter the format of the creative work, copyright law applies to everything everywhere international copyright treaties are in effect. Further, as usual, the performers themselves retain rights in many circumstances, especially as you describe, unless you have a release from them to use their performance. Also, the choreographer, composer, musicians, author of storyline, et al generally retain their rights to their work unless they sign it away.

If the music was licensed for the performance, for example, the legal text in that particular license governs this.

Since you say the performance is of your friend then I think you've got a better footing. Still, say he had a role in the broadway production of Cats. Certainly him putting out amateur videos of just his role is probably not the sort of PR the Cats production team wants, and thus they might have a very good case for finding any claim for litigation they can find.

Nothing is ever black and white, a lawyer is always the best reference.