andrepierce37
Junior Member
do i need permission before using an entertainers likeness?
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question about likeness use
- Thread starter andrepierce37
- Start date
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Silverplum
Senior Member
What do you think, now that you've read many posts on this topic in the forum?
quincy
Senior Member
To expand a bit on Silverplum's answer 
, sometimes you do and sometimes you don't. It depends on the use.
Reading through the other threads that have asked this same question can help you determine if your proposed use is one that does or doesn't require permission.
Find the "search" feature at the top of the page and click on it. In the key word box, enter the words "celebrity likenesses." Enter the verification code. Press enter. Numerous threads will appear, from both this section of the forum and from the Copyright section of the forum.
, sometimes you do and sometimes you don't. It depends on the use. Reading through the other threads that have asked this same question can help you determine if your proposed use is one that does or doesn't require permission.
Find the "search" feature at the top of the page and click on it. In the key word box, enter the words "celebrity likenesses." Enter the verification code. Press enter. Numerous threads will appear, from both this section of the forum and from the Copyright section of the forum.
andrepierce37
Junior Member
entertainer toys
i would like to make toys of certain entertainers thats what i really need to know if i could do without there permission or some kind of pass thru method
i would like to make toys of certain entertainers thats what i really need to know if i could do without there permission or some kind of pass thru method
quincy
Senior Member
Did you read the other threads?
You cannot generally use a celebrity's (or anyone's) likeness for any commercial purpose without permission. Celebrities have a right of publicity - a right to capitalize off their own fame by selling the use of their image to others. Celebrities can make the bulk of their wealth through sponsorship, endorsement and advertising deals - companies will pay large sums of money to have a Brad Pitt or an Angelina Jolie in their ads.
Using a celebrity image for a toy is no different. Bobblehead dolls are made in the image of celebrities (sports starts, actors, politicians) and the creator of the Bobbleheads has been sued in the past over the use (Arnold Schwarzenegger, for one, sued successfully - and the dollars awarded in damages went to his charity). Tyco evaded a lawsuit by removing from store shelves and stopping production on their Malia and Sasha dolls, patterned after the Obama girls.
Get permission from the celebrities to use their image (in writing) and you will be able to go ahead with your toy plans without fear of a costly lawsuit.
You cannot generally use a celebrity's (or anyone's) likeness for any commercial purpose without permission. Celebrities have a right of publicity - a right to capitalize off their own fame by selling the use of their image to others. Celebrities can make the bulk of their wealth through sponsorship, endorsement and advertising deals - companies will pay large sums of money to have a Brad Pitt or an Angelina Jolie in their ads.
Using a celebrity image for a toy is no different. Bobblehead dolls are made in the image of celebrities (sports starts, actors, politicians) and the creator of the Bobbleheads has been sued in the past over the use (Arnold Schwarzenegger, for one, sued successfully - and the dollars awarded in damages went to his charity). Tyco evaded a lawsuit by removing from store shelves and stopping production on their Malia and Sasha dolls, patterned after the Obama girls.
Get permission from the celebrities to use their image (in writing) and you will be able to go ahead with your toy plans without fear of a costly lawsuit.