Is it illegal?

[eman6]

Hey, i was just wondering if it is illegal to use a mask that i bought from a halloween store and use it in my movie?

[bobaandy1]

Wow, people are getting really paranoid...

[thtoneguy94]

no. unless its like a scream mask or something that people might recognize it shouldn't be.

[psycho_cow_chick]

Yes it is illegal, you will go to jail, you will get fined, you will never try and make a movie again with a post like this.

[Hugo_Fuchs]

no. unless its like a scream mask or something that people might recognize it shouldn't be.
Unless it's a parody ala Scary Movie.

[Alasdair]

one thing I know is that it's illegal to look this good

[eman6]

no. unless its like a scream mask or something that people might recognize it shouldn't be.

It isnt recognizeable so thanks! so it isnt illegal?

[Fisherking]

Your best bet is to kit-bash it, dude. You really don't want a recognisable mask in your film (if nothing else, it looks cheap), so try to re-spray it and/or alter the appearance some.

[KMProductions]

I don't think so. Jason movies use a hockey mask. As long as it's generic.

[eman6]

well, it isnt reconizable, its like a sea creature head, and not a character from any feature films.

[Miten Soni]

well, it isnt reconizable, its like a sea creature head, and not a character from any feature films.
then you should be fine, dont worry

[chainedflesh]

It is perfectly fine to use a mask, ANY mask in any film you make.

Even if you are using a mask that shows a character from another film it is okay as long as it is presented as a mask and not the actual character.

If you are doing parody then, under fair use, you can even represent it as the character it resembles.

The logic of it follows that in purchasing a mask you are licensed to use that image, and since in using a mask you are not implying or trying to confuse consumers as to the the nature of the product/character you are presenting it is legal.

I hope this helps you out.

[zomb-eaz100ml]

makeing tings good means braking rules
painting toy guns so thay look real not leagal but who cares
so dont worry plus whos gona get u the (way-to-much-time)ploice so go a head (note killing is ilegal)

[eman6]

If i start selling my movies will it still be okay? or not?

[knightly]

If you start selling those movies... then you should consult an entertainment lawyer.

[eman6]

If you start selling those movies... then you should consult an entertainment lawyer.

Do you need an entertainment lawyer to sell movies or not?

[artyfin]

You won't get in any bother for using a generic mask, however, if you use something that IS recognisable i.e. (as already mentioned) a 'Scream' mask, then that is illegal, unless making something like a parody.

[Apocalypse WOW!]

Protip for film making, if you don't have any money, they probably won't do anything to you.

[Fisherking]

makeing tings good means braking rules
painting toy guns so thay look real not leagal but who cares
so dont worry plus whos gona get u the (way-to-much-time)ploice so go a head (note killing is ilegal)

tha gud advise bro thks fr ur beng so hpful an sht col stuf

[BIG BROTHER Studios]

tha gud advise bro thks fr ur beng so hpful an sht col stuf
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YJvZnVgEuYc/R0it55LKSRI/AAAAAAAABQU/FAFyW8PbohQ/s400/GrammarPolice.gif
NOOOOO!!! Please buy a new keyboard or get typing lessons. Sorry. Incompleteness annoys me.

[iggzy]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YJvZnVgEuYc/R0it55LKSRI/AAAAAAAABQU/FAFyW8PbohQ/s400/GrammarPolice.gif
NOOOOO!!! Please buy a new keyboard or get typing lessons. Sorry. Incompleteness annoys me.

That is beyond grammar issues. Anyways, you got it wrong as it requires Grammar Nazis:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/SVTBert/grammarnazi.gif

[GraySunProductions]

I just spent a while writing up a guide that will soon address this: http://forum.indymogul.com/showthread.php?t=22639

I highly recommend reading it anyway, as you may find your answer.

[Fisherking]

[huge obnoxious picture]
NOOOOO!!! Please buy a new keyboard or get typing lessons. Sorry. Incompleteness annoys me.

If you'd have bothered to check any of my other posts, you probably would've appreciated that I was intending it as an insult.

[BIG BROTHER Studios]

Well, too bad. If you were really trying to insult someone, you should have been forthcoming and direct, much as I am now. Besides, what did he say that would cause that [shudder] horrible sentence?

[chainedflesh]

You won't get in any bother for using a generic mask, however, if you use something that IS recognisable i.e. (as already mentioned) a 'Scream' mask, then that is illegal, unless making something like a parody.


Not true. You can use ANY mask, as long as you aren't trying to misrepresent yourself as a trademarked character. Even then you can do it in parody.

And the Scream mask is definitely okay to use. The Scream mask is from a generic costume that had existed long before the movie, and they even made it a plot point that the mask was generic.

[TiE_Shepherd]

Will you ever get in trouble for using it? Most likely no. But in this day and age, people try to sue for anything. The fact of the matter is no one here is a lawyer. If you're planning on selling the movie and you want to be 100% safe, then you best bet is to just contact the company that makes the mask and ask for permission to use it.

[Davo Tron]

Hey guys, I'm filming a cat, is this illegal?

[/irony]

[eman6]

Hey guys, I'm filming a cat, is this illegal?

[/irony]

No, it shouldnt be.

[Fisherking]

Well, too bad. If you were really trying to insult someone, you should have been forthcoming and direct, much as I am now. Besides, what did he say that would cause that [shudder] horrible sentence?

The very post I fucking quoted. You know, this monstrosity:
makeing tings good means braking rules
painting toy guns so thay look real not leagal but who cares
so dont worry plus whos gona get u the (way-to-much-time)ploice so go a head (note killing is ilegal)

[Davo Tron]

I'm baking a cake

is this illegal?

[eman6]

I'm baking a cake

is this illegal?

No it is not.

[LifeComposer]

I farted...is it illegal? because they have farted in big films, and i am afraid someone else may have rights to it...

[JD]

Is it illegal during a scene to let one actor actually kill the other, we've filmed all the dying characters scenes except the death scene, to add to the realism of the film?

[Fisherking]

I farted...is it illegal? because they have farted in big films, and i am afraid someone else may have rights to it...

You'll probably want to look up the specific fart you're thinking of. Farts in general, obviously, are too broad a category to control like that, but individual farts may have associated copyrights.

I believe follow-through is owned by AOL Time Warner.

[Davo Tron]

If I smell someone's fart, does that mean I'm infringing on their copywrite and they can sue me?

[eman6]

no i dont think so

[LifeComposer]

I hope none of my responses on this thread are copywritten phrases!