LEGAL question - Cars....

S

sunburst

Well-known member
Hey all,

I think I know the general legal rules about products. Never show Brand names, never show private property, don't show McDonald's signs etc. Right?

But what about CARS? Do you have to take the model names OFF cars? The hood emblems off?

What if you can still " tell " the brand of car.

I'm confused. Thanks!
 
A professional ex-hollywood production designer I just worked with told me that other than copyrighted works like pictures, photographs, and music there really isn't much concern with removing identifiable brands from most productions unless you're casting a negative light on those brands. This applies to fictional narratives. Of course, you wouldn't create a short called "Budweiser" and use their logo as in your credits without permission, but having some cans of Bud in a scene won't land you in hot water unless perhaps you show your actors in a plant and they fill the cans with urine or something (which I think Budweiser might be made from).

So this is just me conveying what I was told by someone who's worked on productions like Blade Runner and others. That doesn't mean its true and not just his opinion. I guess you also have to ask what realistically matters for your project. Is it a short film that will end up on Vimeo? Then who cares. If there is real commercial potential then it matters more.

So, just throwing this out there.
 
Snazzy Flapper said:
there really isn't much concern with removing identifiable brands from most productions unless you're casting a negative light on those brands. This applies to fictional narratives.
Click to expand...

This is what I have always heard, and every production I've been a part of has operated under this. I am also not an expert on this subject - just saying.
 
Thanks for replys.

I try to go by safe, rather than sorry. Or maybe its just paranoia? I'm guessing violent films, my style, would be more prone to " cast in a negative light". Particularly with bullet holes ripping through the sides - lol.

I was trying to think of the Cars in Tarantinos Death Proof and Nick Cage's Gone in 60 seconds. But I don't have any copies with me now..
 
The only thing you really have to worry about is....how to put it... Show a lot of Pepsi cans, and Coke will not sponsor your film. Etc. :p
 
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