Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1

    Default Using Celebrity Pictures in a Video I Make

    yes I was planning on making a video on youtube to help people realize its ok to be gay and I was also gonna incorporate celebrities into it cause some people who don't know there favorite stars are gay might say hey my favorite celeb is gay or supports gays so I can have courage to be gay now or and support them so I am going to have like a slideslow while music plays on there and have celebrities pics roll by and quotes they have said regarding coming out or gay support and I was wondering is this legal copyright wise and also the biggest star at the end will be the biggest gay marriage supporter of all president barack obama

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Youtube

    And do you have the written legal permission of all these celebrities to incorporate them into your video?

  3. #3

    Default Re: Youtube

    no but on youtube there is tons of videos on there that doesn't have permission and plus this is a good thing im doing and I don't think anyone would care because it isn't like this is doing harm its doing good

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Youtube

    If you don't have permission, they can sue you.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Youtube

    well on youtube theres tons of them and plus this isn't for anything for profit

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Youtube

    Just because there is similar stuff on YouTube doesn't make you immune to lawsuits. Things come and go from youtube all the time.

    The question is how you are using these pictures. First off, you need to be very careful. Claiming someone is gay or supports gay can indeed be viewed as defamation if they are not.
    The next issue is celebrities have a right to their fame. If you want to show a picture of George Takei and say, here's a famous star who's gay you'd probably be pretty safe. If you were writing a critical piece on George Takei or gay stars, again that would most likely be safe. However, if you use George's likeness to capitalize on his fame, you'd very likely be in trouble. For example a video called "How to be Gay like George Takei" might quite possibly get his ire. You're doing nothing than exploiting his fame for your own benefit (and yes, you benefit even if you are just getting a little fame yourself).

    By the way, just because I think you would be OK in situations above doesn't mean you won't get sued. All it takes is a small filing fee to bring a suit against you which can be quite costly even if you win. Further, YouTube will roll over and delete your videos at the drop of a hat if IP issues are asserted to them.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Youtube

    First, unless you're moonlighting in the paparazzi trade, they won't be your pictures to use. Second, there's the defamation issue. Third, there's the right of publicity issue - celebrity endorsements are valuable, and celebrities have the right to control how their likeness is used even if they agree with the message.

    You are free to carry on with the, "but the other kids throw rocks at windows," business, but you asked what the law is. Now you know.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Copyright Law: Can Someone Sell Nude Pictures of a Celebrity That Were in a Cell Phone
    By jakemartins in forum Intellectual Property
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 07-26-2010, 11:15 PM
  2. Copyright Law: Music Video with Copyrighted Video Clips - What's Fair Use
    By nova1111 in forum Intellectual Property
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 12-31-2009, 01:39 PM
  3. Defamation: Posting Nude Pictures and Video of Ex-Wife or Ex-Girlfriend on the Internet
    By stillbitterinside in forum Defamation, Slander And Libel
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-27-2009, 06:48 AM
  4. Copyright Law: Using Video Clips To Make A New Video
    By firefox2308 in forum Intellectual Property
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 02-03-2008, 07:59 AM
  5. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Getting Caught Selling Stolen Video Games At A Video Game Exchange Store
    By josh023 in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 04-13-2007, 07:24 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources