Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#1Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/11/14 at 8:16pm
#2Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/11/14 at 8:28pmIt bothers me, too, even if the celebrity's heirs have given permission. The first time I saw Fred Astaire dancing with a vacuum cleaner, I was appalled.
#2Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/11/14 at 8:50pmJust dreadful. You see them with Marilyn, Elvis, Sinatra and others as well. It's creepy and tacky.
bobs3
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/12
#3Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/11/14 at 9:12pmAs long as the celebrity's estate gives permission (and presumably receives some monetary compensation) it is perfectly legal.
#4Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/11/14 at 9:18pm
It is Audrey Hepburn's estate's doing. They easily could've denied Galaxy chocolate. And that GAP commercial.
The creepiest shall always be the alternative history James Dean commercial, though.
http://www.joblo.com/videos/horror-movies/james-dean-ad
#5Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/11/14 at 9:29pmI missed that one. How absolutely repulsive.
#6Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/11/14 at 9:48pm
The estate has to approve it if they are selling a product. If they were just showing a publicity still or clip from a movie promoting the movie, then no. The rights come from the owner of the film.
But if you introduce a new product, even if the image is from a copyrighted film or a film in the public domain, you have to get permission from the estates of the likenesses involved.
Bissel ended up being sued by the widow of Fred Astaire because they didn't get permission. The movie used in the ad was "Royal Wedding" which was/is in the public domain (through a contract loophole). But they didn't get permission or pay for rights to use Fred's likeness to sell vacuum cleaners. So the ad was pulled and they had to settle (either in or out of court) with Mrs. Astaire.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Wildcard
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
#7Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/11/14 at 10:26pmI don't mind that Audrey Hepburn commercials. They still have the elegance befitting the actress. Now if they were having her sell a tampon, that's another issue
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#8Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/11/14 at 10:52pmAudrey had a vajine, you know.
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#9Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/11/14 at 10:59pmCan't wait to see Kurt Cobain's Almond Joy ads!
#10Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/11/14 at 11:07pm
Or an ad for Coke.
I mean Coca Cola.
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#11Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/11/14 at 11:54pmWhy?
#12Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/12/14 at 6:59amMore younger people know Audrey Hepburn than Fred Astaire right now, and I think a big part of that is allowing her likeness to be used in our modern-day world. Fred Astaire's widow took a lot criticism (at the time and still) for being overly protective of Fred's image. She said "no" so many times, people stopped asking. So his image has begun to fade from the public consciousness at a much faster rate. Audrey's image has appeared in many places, most notably in the Gap TV ad (and the campaign that went with it), but in other places as well. I don't think it's such a bad thing, truthfully. I hope her estate shows some discretion, and I think they have. As long as she is portrayed in a light that maintains and reflects her on-screen persona, then why not? It's not damaging her or the memory of her. I don't find it degrading, either. Actually, I think it's a win-win situation. If it makes people remember how great Audrey was and at the same time introduces a new audience to her that might not otherwise know who she is, that's pretty cool all around.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
ghostlight2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/5/04
#13Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/12/14 at 9:39am
I've noticed Buster Keaton pop up lately, usually featuring a snippet of one of his stunts, like not being hammered into the ground by a house facade falling on him because he was standing right where the window opening met ground, or shots of him hurling himself into the wind.
The GAP Audrey commercial doesn't bug me that much. I don't like the idea of using dead celebrities that way, but at least it was done with respect. The chocolate one seems a little trivial, and uncanny valley Audrey is creepy.
The James Dean one is repugnant.
#14Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/12/14 at 11:11amOne of my favorite ads is the Marilyn/Charlize/Grace ad for Dior.
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#15Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/12/14 at 11:15amCan't wait for Judy's Wellbutrin spots.
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#16Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/12/14 at 11:15amI won't be happy til the late Harry Reems sells me those Spanx for men.
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#17Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/12/14 at 11:18amThe return of Marilyn Chambers as the Ivory Soap girl! Now in foamy liquid!
#18Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/12/14 at 11:32amThe CGI work in that Audrey Hepburn/Galaxy Chocolate commercial is impressive.
#19Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/12/14 at 11:48am
It's very impressive! I still notice something "off," either in the eyes or in the way the facial muscles move. It was the same thing with "young Brad Pitt" in Benjamin Button.
Still, to be able to go this far with it is astounding. How long before they add a voice soundalike actor, and we can see Audrey Hepburn in a new film.
I believe the party is just beginning.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
henrikegerman
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/29/05
#20Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:51pmLiving as I do in the U.S. in 2014 my mind immediately flips to the John Wilkes Booth Gun Shop.
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#21Do people have the right to use actor's likenesses to promote their products?
Posted: 3/12/14 at 2:01pm
"I still notice something "off," either in the eyes or in the way the facial muscles move. It was the same thing with "young Brad Pitt" in Benjamin Button."
It's the same thing with all Brad Pitt, in every movie he's ever been in, ever.
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