Curiosity Question: Automobile Copyright

J

jayhink

Member
Hi all - I've always been a strict adherent to copyright rules. I do not infringe and frown upon the practice. With that said, I've often wondered about the issue of automobiles in our movies.

We always use cars in our films/commercials/shorts/whatever, so what is the extent of copyright law by putting a certain make/model up on the screen? Is it a matter of just not showing the logo in focus? ... is it actually not legal? ... or is it one of those things that just can't be enforced (like getting permission to shoot the make of pants an actor wears on film)?

Anyhow, this one I've always wondered about and I apologize if there is a thread devoted to it elsewhere on the site (I didn't find one in my search). I suppose the question could extend to tihngs like airplanes, helicoptors, boats, and the like as well.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday!
Jason H
www.jasonhink.com
 
showing a product or logo has nothing to do with copyright law. Copyright has to do with a creative work put into a tangible form. What you are asking about is using a trademark in a film (ie: a company logo and it's product) It is safe to use / show any product and it's logo as long as you are using the product for its intended purposes. The times people get into trouble is when they integrate the product into a story in a negative light. (Ford blows up and kills someone due to a design defect) That falls under trade libel.
 
Thanks! I knew I had somethiong skewed in my question (copyright vs trademark). Thanks for taking the time to reply.
JH
 
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