Using movie logo in online promotion of an event

[MIK_84]

Hello,

We are about to have an event with several keynote speakers, one of which was a key part of producing a high grossing popular film. He is not an actor, but an integral part of the research around creating the movie and he is widely known for the part he played in its creation.

In part of the promotion we are doing a social media/blog series on each of our keynote speakers including the aforementioned person.

Would it be appropriate to include the movie logo in blog/social media promotions ie:

The _____ Behind "MOVIE LOGO"



From what I have read as long as you have a disclaimer to this effect you are ok:

MOVIE TITLE[SUP]®[/SUP] is a registered trademark of TRADEMARK OWNER[SUP]®[/SUP] and not affiliated with, endorsing, or sponsoring EVENT NAME.


Would that be sufficient? This event is already sold out, and at this time we are not directly using this to sell tickets, merchandise etc, mostly just to raise awareness and garner attention from fans.

Thank you in advance for your advise!

 

[Zigner]

Hello,

We are about to have an event with several keynote speakers, one of which was a key part of producing a high grossing popular film. He is not an actor, but an integral part of the research around creating the movie and he is widely known for the part he played in its creation.

In part of the promotion we are doing a social media/blog series on each of our keynote speakers including the aforementioned person.

Would it be appropriate to include the movie logo in blog/social media promotions ie:

The _____ Behind "MOVIE LOGO"



From what I have read as long as you have a disclaimer to this effect you are ok:

MOVIE TITLE[SUP]®[/SUP] is a registered trademark of TRADEMARK OWNER[SUP]®[/SUP] and not affiliated with, endorsing, or sponsoring EVENT NAME.


Would that be sufficient? This event is already sold out, and at this time we are not directly using this to sell tickets, merchandise etc, mostly just to raise awareness and garner attention from fans.

Thank you in advance for your advise!

To start with, what is the name of your US state?

Then, just remember that a disclaimer doesn't prevent a lawsuit. Furthermore, you have to consider whether or not you can afford to fight the studio if they don't like your appropriation of their intellectual property for your own use.

 

[MIK_84]

I'm in Texas

 

[justalayman]

The disclaimer won't mean squat.

You are using the logo to advertise your event.

 

[MIK_84]

Ok, so logo is out. Can just the movie title in plain text be referenced?

 

[quincy]

Ok, so logo is out. Can just the movie title in plain text be referenced?

You cannot use the title to promote your event without authorization from the trademark holder. You need to avoid confusingl consumers into thinking the rights holder is affiliated with or endorses the event. To do otherwise infringes on the trademark holder's rights.

What you ARE allowed to do is use the trademark in a descriptive way (i.e., X appeared in the film XYZ).

You should not use the logo and I agree with justalayman that a disclaimer does not prevent a lawsuit. The most it can do is mitigate damages if you are sued and lose the suit.

 

[justalayman]

If it is in merely a factual statement, usually it's ok BUT it is always a good idea to run it by an ip attorney to verify the entire context of the use is not somehow playing off the fame of the term to promote your project.
Beyond that the person you named may have some contractual agreement with the owners of the rights to the movie such that he is not allowed to do certain things involving the movie without explicit permission.

 

[quincy]

Most films have official websites that detail IP rights and what can and cannot be done with the rights protected material. Getting permission from the rights holder directly is wise and advised.