What are the rules (legal) on using normal every day commercial objects on TV or in movies?

Asked by elbanditoroso (33740

) 1 day ago

I’m aware of ‘product placement’ where a company will pay the producer a fee for putting that company’s product in a film, maybe in the background, but somewhere it can be seen.

This is the opposite.

Suppose a scene in the movie is of a family eating breakfast. Do they have to get General Mills’ permission to have a box of Cheerios on the table? What about the milk jug? Do they have to get permission to show that?

Or say the movies show a car driving down a road – they pass a McDonalds, a gas station, maybe supermarket, and bunch of other retail stores. Do the producers need permission for what are basically street scenes?

Or let’s say one scene is in a person’s apartment, with a bookshelf being the backdrop. There a couple of dozen books on the shelf, with the spine title possibly legible. Do these require permission from the intellectual property owner?

Couldn’t that get to be ridiculous?

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5 Answers

I believe they have to ask for permission unless they hide any visible logos or identifiable trademarks. That is the reason why they often just make up fantasy brands.

ragingloli (52397

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I don’t think there is any legal need for permission to show brand names on things. As you say, that would be ridiculous.

But if there is a publisher involved in the production, who ever sells product placement, having brand names appear for free might tend to peeve their advertisers and perhaps some investors.

Zaku (30804

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Many cars makes and models are easily recognizable just by a glance from any angle. I doubt movie makers have to seek permission to use those cars in their movie, but I hope someone knows.

This question is intriguing.

snowberry (28049

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I wonder about this every time I see a brand name food product.

Someone here…@Caravanfan? has a cousin or nephew who works in the industry. Maybe they’ll see this and be able to answer.

smudges (11554

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I see shows that have blurred the automobile’s logo, yes I know Honda but the blurred out logo says to me the show is not supporting the brand of car.

Tropical_Willie (31651

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