Photo Question?

[mono_666]

I am planning on doing a poster with a picture of a famous (or infamous) actor, but dont know the rules on using someones picture (as I usually draw everything, or use clipart). Can the said Actor Sue me if he doesnt like it? Can the person who took the photo sue me? If it is a still shot from a movie, can the studio sue me?

Any help would be appreciated

[ImJustRickG]

I'll ask my wife. She's a bigwig exec at one of the big stock photo agencies... she'll know.

[mile44]

I'll ask my wife. She's a bigwig exec at one of the big stock photo agencies... she'll know.

which one? I use the bigwig stock photo agencies everyday.

-D-

[ImJustRickG]

Whoa, my bad:

NOT okay under ANY circumstances. That's why companies like [her company] do
rights clearances for images of celebrities that they sell. Anything
being produced for commercial purposes (to sell rather than say
editorial/news purposes) must get permission from the celebrity's
management or estate. UNLESS the image is so old that it's considered
public domain and there's no estate.

Hope that helps!

At the same time, what are the chances that the poster would be seen? If
it's small, then maybe a risk worth taking?

Wow. So I guess the answer is: Watch it.

which one? I use the bigwig stock photo agencies everyday.

One of the big ones. She used to work for the big one, then switched to the OTHER big one.

[mono_666]

What about Mugshots?

[ImJustRickG]

Ha ha ha... you might be safe, there. After all, taxpayers pay for those, right? But AA already did Sid Vicious. Nick Nolte would be funny... or were you thinking about a Britney cooter shot?

I kind of suspect you're safe. Worst case scenario? You get a cease-and-desist letter.

[mono_666]

is there is a britany cooter mugshot???

[JustinHelton]

I always thought that there were loopholes with "parodies' and what not, like if you change over 50 percent of the image then ist legal, I may be wrong, but if you took a photo, changed the colors, changed it to a halftone, yadda, yadda, yadda, would that work? Anyone know anymore about this?

[motownjc]

What about Mugshots?

mug shots are public domain and easy to obtain.

[mono_666]

mug shots are public domain and easy to obtain.

So, I should be fine as long as I use a real mugshot, right?

Thanks for all the help mazns