Brandon Rice
Distributed Producer
Hey, sorry, don't know which forum to put this in. Anyway, is it fine to use logos from companies in your end credits. For instance, Panasonic, Arri, Avid, etc.
Thanks.
Thanks.
End Credit Logos
- Thread starter Brandon Rice
- Start date
Jared Meyer
Veteran
I am not in any way qualified to dispense legal advice 
(any lawyers on the board?) but common sense says it's probably ok. As long as your use of their logos doesn't cause any brand confusion or cast them in any sort of bad light, I believe you're protected. If nothing else, it probably falls under "fair use."
However, if a company saw your movie and hated it for some reason (product use, ideology, policy, whatever) they might not want their logo anywhere attached to your product. Anywhere.
Why would you want to do that, out of curiosity? I'm guessing these companies aren't paying you, otherwise you wouldn't have to ask...?
-Jared
(any lawyers on the board?) but common sense says it's probably ok. As long as your use of their logos doesn't cause any brand confusion or cast them in any sort of bad light, I believe you're protected. If nothing else, it probably falls under "fair use."However, if a company saw your movie and hated it for some reason (product use, ideology, policy, whatever) they might not want their logo anywhere attached to your product. Anywhere.
Why would you want to do that, out of curiosity? I'm guessing these companies aren't paying you, otherwise you wouldn't have to ask...?
-Jared
Brandon Rice
Distributed Producer
Most films do it at the end, with the products they used, etc.
"Fair use" doesn't have anything to do with trademark.
Generally speaking, you may not use a trademark without permission (there are exceptions, of course, including using them in competing advertising). Those films which have the logos at the end do so with permission -- and it's usually part of a deal for using the equipment.
Generally speaking, you may not use a trademark without permission (there are exceptions, of course, including using them in competing advertising). Those films which have the logos at the end do so with permission -- and it's usually part of a deal for using the equipment.
Brandon Rice
Distributed Producer
Answered my Q, thanks. I'd rather be safe than sorry.
I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Jared Meyer
Veteran
Why not? I've seen trademark fair use discussed quite a bit. I know there must be rules regarding that and circumstances under which it is ok to use a company's copyrighted trademark (besides even competitive advertising). Is it under a different umbrella than the plain ol' "fair use" doctrine? (Not arguing with you, just wanted to learn.)David Jimerson said:
"Fair use" is a doctrine under copyright law, which is a separate section of the law.
The operative part of Trademark law defining infringement here is:
Use in your film may cause confusion in that it implies endorsement.
Pepsi using the Coca-Cola logo in advertisements will not cause confusion.
There are grey areas, but Brandon hits it on the head -- better to be safe.
The operative part of Trademark law defining infringement here is:
Use in your film may cause confusion in that it implies endorsement.
Pepsi using the Coca-Cola logo in advertisements will not cause confusion.
There are grey areas, but Brandon hits it on the head -- better to be safe.
Jared Meyer
Veteran
Makes sense, David. Thanks for the further explanation.
(Good question, Brandon!)
(Good question, Brandon!)
Brandon Rice
Distributed Producer
One other thing... I had heard Final Cut Pro requires films edited with that software to include the logo at the end credits... is this correct?
If it's not in the EULA (which I very much doubt it is), then it's not a requirement.