Question on the legality of parody

[Alphathree33]

If I make a website in parody of another organization, to what extent can I use that organization's logo on my website?

 

[DainBramaged]

If you make a parody website, you will get a two week ban.

 

[mugs]

Why not make a parody of their logo?

I'm really not sure... parody is kosher with copyrighted things, but logos are trademarked.

 

[yosuke188]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
If you make a parody website, you will get a two week ban.

It's only 2 weeks?

 

[Alphathree33]

Originally posted by: mugs
Why not make a parody of their logo?

I'm really not sure... parody is kosher with copyrighted things, but logos are trademarked.

So if I took their logo and photoshopped it a bit, that would probably be okay in your opinion?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Alphathree33

Originally posted by: mugs
Why not make a parody of their logo?

I'm really not sure... parody is kosher with copyrighted things, but logos are trademarked.

So if I took their logo and photoshopped it a bit, that would probably be okay in your opinion?

I am not a lawyer, but I've seen things like that done extensively with apparantly no repercussions.

Something like making a logo that says "WorstBuy" in the same style as the BestBuy logo.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Parody is covered under fair use.

- M4H

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Parody is covered under fair use.

- M4H

:thumbsup:

Look at Weird Al.

/waits for thread of "Question on the legality of parity"

 

[Killerme33]

Originally posted by: Syringer

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Parody is covered under fair use.

- M4H

:thumbsup:

Look at Weird Al.

/waits for thread of "Question on the legality of parity"

I know Weird Al has to get the artist's permission, and may have to pay them a set fee/royalties.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: Killerme33

Originally posted by: Syringer

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Parody is covered under fair use.

- M4H

:thumbsup:

Look at Weird Al.

/waits for thread of "Question on the legality of parity"

I know Weird Al has to get the artist's permission, and may have to pay them a set fee/royalties.

No he doesn't have to get their permission, he does it out of respect. For example, James Blunt OK'ed the "You're Beautiful" parody, Atlantic Records got anal and said no, so he didn't do it. Legally they can't actually tell him not to do it.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Syringer

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Parody is covered under fair use.

- M4H

:thumbsup:

Look at Weird Al.

/waits for thread of "Question on the legality of parity"

Fair use/parody apply differently to copyrights and trademarks.

http://www.jamesshuggins.com/h/oth1/parody.htm
http://www.usip.com/articles/parodytm.htm

Much as in any other area of trademark law, the similarity or lack of similarity of the mark involved and its parody is critical.