using newspaper in promotional video?

[EP2005]

I've spent the past hour looking through google and this site trying to find an answer but to no avail. I should probably contact a lawyer, but my deadline is coming up and I'm not sure it's my responsibility, but the clients.

My client wants me to have a shot in their promotional video where the advertising flyers and coupons that you get with the Sunday newspaper, and in the mail, are falling from above, into a big pile. Chances are you'll be able to see all the different businesses and company names, along with the stock photos that they used to make the flyers.

Since this is a promotional video for a company that is going to compete against the companies that create the coupons and advertisements, I'm guessing there are laws against using the flyers in the video? I wasn't sure, as I remember seeing commercials where company "A" mentions their competition in the commercial (think coca-cola vs. pepsi)

Can I use these flyers if I blur out the company names? is there copyright on the physical flyer? What about using the name and/or cover of a magazine while showing a quote from an article within?

Again, I'd contact a lawyer, but I don't think it's my responsibility but the clients. Am I right to assume that?

 

[RyanT]

Do they not have a legal department that you can contact? Seems like this company would want to do all they could to make sure their ad was free of copyright infringement. I have no clue how any of this works, but that seems like it would make sense.

 

[David W. Richardson]

Maybe just make up your own fake coupons?

 

[arniepix]

Simple rule of thumb: If you think you need to get a clearance, you probably do. For that matter, if you think you need to speak to an IP lawyer, you probably do.

If I understand the OP properly, the client wants to use coupons from their competitors. Think about it. Yes, you would need permission, and good luck getting it easily or cheaply. David's idea of making your own coupons is the best solution.