Using Print Ads and Newspaper at DVinfo.net

Haasim Mahanaim · March 11th, 2004, 01:51 PM

I would like to include still images of print ads from newspapers in my short film. (eg: Volkswagen Beetle: Drivers Wanted) Would I be allowed to do without any kind of written permission? Also, would I be able to manipulate those images? (nothing negative)

Paul Tauger · March 11th, 2004, 03:07 PM

Assuming Canadian law is the same as US, no, you can't do either without permission, except in very, very limited circumstances.

Haasim Mahanaim · March 11th, 2004, 04:27 PM

If I'm not allowed to use existing ads, would I be able to parody an advertisement using pictures of the car I took myself?

Dylan Couper · March 11th, 2004, 07:48 PM

You can *DO* whatever you want. Whether or not you get sued over it is a whole different matter. :)

Please give some more background about your short film. Where will it be shown, to whom, and why?

John Britt · March 11th, 2004, 11:01 PM

On a somewhat related note, here is an interesting piece on visual/collage artist Robert Raushenberg, who was successfully sued for using a print ad in one of his works:

http://www.benedict.com/Visual/Rausc...schenberg.aspx

Haasim Mahanaim · March 11th, 2004, 11:06 PM

How would this be any more illegal than doing a news segment showing a closeup on a poster? (eg: Mamma Mia is in town and you should go an see it!) And what about sketch comedy shows that do parodies, why is it they don't get in trouble?

I'm just trying to understand the fuzzy logic that governs copyright law.

Paul Tauger · March 12th, 2004, 02:25 AM

There is an exception to copyright for legitimate news coverage. Parody is a fair use exception to infringement.

March 11th, 2004, 01:51 PM	#1
Haasim Mahanaim Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 26	Using Print Ads and Newspaper I would like to include still images of print ads from newspapers in my short film. (eg: Volkswagen Beetle: Drivers Wanted) Would I be allowed to do without any kind of written permission? Also, would I be able to manipulate those images? (nothing negative) __________________ http://www.moonrocket.ca

March 11th, 2004, 04:27 PM	#3
Haasim Mahanaim Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 26	If I'm not allowed to use existing ads, would I be able to parody an advertisement using pictures of the car I took myself? __________________ http://www.moonrocket.ca

March 11th, 2004, 07:48 PM	#4
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	You can DO whatever you want. Whether or not you get sued over it is a whole different matter. :) Please give some more background about your short film. Where will it be shown, to whom, and why? __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 11th, 2004, 11:06 PM	#6
Haasim Mahanaim Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 26	How would this be any more illegal than doing a news segment showing a closeup on a poster? (eg: Mamma Mia is in town and you should go an see it!) And what about sketch comedy shows that do parodies, why is it they don't get in trouble? I'm just trying to understand the fuzzy logic that governs copyright law. __________________ http://www.moonrocket.ca

March 11th, 2004, 03:07 PM	#2
Paul Tauger Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles (recently from San Francisco) Posts: 954	Assuming Canadian law is the same as US, no, you can't do either without permission, except in very, very limited circumstances.

March 11th, 2004, 11:01 PM	#5
John Britt Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 621	On a somewhat related note, here is an interesting piece on visual/collage artist Robert Raushenberg, who was successfully sued for using a print ad in one of his works: http://www.benedict.com/Visual/Rausc...schenberg.aspx

March 12th, 2004, 02:25 AM	#7
Paul Tauger Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles (recently from San Francisco) Posts: 954	There is an exception to copyright for legitimate news coverage. Parody is a fair use exception to infringement.