In one embodiment, a communication is established between two endpoints. The communication session may be a video call or an audio call. The communication session may be managed by a call manager using, for example, voice over internet protocol and session initiation protocol. One of the endpoints initiates recording the communication session. The call manager facilitates recording the communication session based on a recording policy associated with the initiating endpoint. The recording policy may specify far end recording, near end recording, or a prioritized order of far and near end recording. The call manager selected an anchor network device for copying the communication session based on the recording policy.