Elvis Likeness Copyright?

K

kennethhurd

Well-known member
I have this comedy short I'm working on that features a character that dresses like Elvis and Elvis references throughout the script. Would I need to get permission for this and if so, how would I go about getting permission?
 
Hello Kenneth,

Here's a good place to start:

http://www.elvis.com/licensing/

We are currently exploring similar legal issues, though we are wanting to use a 3D model of the house he was born and raised (my office is about two miles from Elvis' birthplace.)

It seems there's nothing more complicated than copyright/trademark law. It's hard to find two people/lawyers who will give the same answer to any given question. But going to the link above should get you started. Even though they are primarily talking about licensing of products (it seems) they should also be able to give you guidance about the legalities of using an Elvis character in a movie.

Best Regards,
Russell
 
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Parody sometimes opens the door to Fair Use (i.e. Al Yankovic's songs). Yes, I know that "Fair Use" is incorrectly thrown around a lot as a loop hole, and that it usually does not apply. But 'parody' is sometimes an exception. (By the way, although Weird Al has noted that his parody's are legally acceptable, he always asks permission of the original artist as a courtesy, and if the artist objects, Al passes on the song. Nice guy. Born in my hometown: Lynwood, CA.)
 
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