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Names of actors

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Wed, 01/11/2006 - 22:20
YojimboUK
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Joined: 12/31/1969

Probably one for the lawyers, but...

I have a cardgame about big dumb Hollywood movies. It's pretty sweet, tests well, and people laugh a lot while playing it which I always regard as a mark of potential success.

The problem is: a lot of the flavour and humour of play comes from the fact that many of the cards (approx. 20%) have the names of real actors on them and no other text, just a few game stats. What is the legal position on this? Can I do this, or do I require the actors' permission - which, let's be real, I would never get?

(I've tried it with parody names - 'Thumb Crews'; 'Kirsten Dunce' - and it doesn't work half as well. It needs the immediacy and reality of the actual names.)

If nobody knows the answer, does anyone know of another forum that might be able to help?

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Wed, 01/11/2006 - 22:57
#1
Kreitler
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Re: Names of actors

YojimboUK wrote:
Probably one for the lawyers, but...

I have a cardgame about big dumb Hollywood movies. It's pretty sweet, tests well, and people laugh a lot while playing it which I always regard as a mark of potential success.

The problem is: a lot of the flavour and humour of play comes from the fact that many of the cards (approx. 20%) have the names of real actors on them and no other text, just a few game stats. What is the legal position on this? Can I do this, or do I require the actors' permission - which, let's be real, I would never get?

(I've tried it with parody names - 'Thumb Crews'; 'Kirsten Dunce' - and it doesn't work half as well. It needs the immediacy and reality of the actual names.)

If nobody knows the answer, does anyone know of another forum that might be able to help?

With respect to computer games, at least, actors "own" their faces. You can't use a likeness of them without their permission. I assume this holds true for tabletop games as well.

Mark

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Wed, 01/11/2006 - 23:53
#2
Hambone
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Names of actors

I believe you can print a person's name in a newspaper, magazine, website, or anywhere else without their permission. Tom Hanks. I imagine the maps of Hollywood Homes does not get permission and is legal. Jessica Alba. Think about all of the tabloid press and unauthorized biographies. Angelina Jolie. I would imagine the grey area would be when you make character judgements or use pictures. If it is just a name, I would be less worried.

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Thu, 01/12/2006 - 09:47
#3
phpbbadmin
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Joined: 04/23/2013
Names of actors

It is my understanding that you can do it in a factual manner, like in trivia games.

I.E. Tom Hanks was born in:
A) Virginia
B) New York
C) Etc.

Anyone else know the specifics on this?

As for other uses, You'd probably need to stick to parody use.

-Darke

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Thu, 01/12/2006 - 10:17
#4
RookieDesign
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Names of actors

Most of the times, the answer to this question is different if you prototype or you want to self publish.

If you prototype in the idea of selling your idea to a publisher. Use the real actor name. Specially if the parody one doesn't work. It will be the responsibility of the publishing house to verify the legal aspect and/or obtaining license.

If you are self publishing, you will have to do this work yourself.

Good luck.

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Sun, 01/15/2006 - 17:04
#5
YojimboUK
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Names of actors

Thanks to all for the advice. I'm not planning to self-publish, but was interested to know if there was any point in pushing the project at publishers if it's going to fall athte first fence. As a former publisher, I know there are few things more disagreeable than a great idea with a time-bomb inside it.

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