Using a famous person's name
- Thread starter Solstice
- Start date
There is such a thing. It depends on how you want to use the name.
You cannot use Sinatra's name to sell a product. You can have a
character in a movie say his name out loud.
You cannot use Sinatra's name to sell a product. You can have a
character in a movie say his name out loud.
That would be fine. They can't legally own the name or even the personality behind the name. (as long as it's clear that this is a work of fiction and you don't present their actions as something that actually happened)
If this is a parody, you can even go a step further and use the full name.
Their life story, though, like if this were a biographical film for example, you'll need permission.
If this is a parody, you can even go a step further and use the full name.
Their life story, though, like if this were a biographical film for example, you'll need permission.
You should speak to an intellectual property lawyer about this. I'm not up on this, though I'm slowly learning, but you should also be careful about insinuating that your character is the famous singer or that his estate is somehow endorsing your film.
You can not use Sinatra and have the character be a singer who sings smooth notes...like sinatra. You can use sinatra if he is a dog catcher and has nothing to do with singing, and he can't look like him.
UNLESS the person in question has entered the public domain. You can do a napoleon character...because it's past the 75 years since his death.
UNLESS the person in question has entered the public domain. You can do a napoleon character...because it's past the 75 years since his death.