I am making a topic-related video (nonfiction) and I am wondering if I can say or show the names of companies or people to get points across and if so, how much or how often can I use the names. This has stumped me and I have taken out book after book from the library with no success. The whole copyright and fair-use thing has me really confused. Thanks you to anyone who helps me, this has been a major roadblock in moving forward with my project.
Check out the Fair Use statement at this address:
http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/fair_use/
This is all about using copyright material, which may help if you plan to use media clippings or news stories.
With regard to showing/naming companies, I don't see any reason why you can't do this - that's what news shows do, after all. You'd be more likely to come unstuck with libel/misrepresentation laws, depending on your topic and the stance you take.
Look at the films/TV shows made about McDonalds - no-one can stop them being made, but they can sue if they contain things that are untrue. So if your film is about how Starbucks make their coffee by grinding down babies you'd better have the evidence to back it up...
The moral of the story is: if in doubt, consult a lawyer. 🙂
Tony
