Legal Question in Entertainment Law in California

Graphic use on book cover

Im publishing a book and using a graphic that comes out of the Movie ''Sin City.'' The graphic is just a face in a shadow with no facial features visible, can i use this without getting in trouble? Or what proccess do i have to go through to use it? Link below:

http://www.boredastronaut.com/blog/C1660704012/E770448506/Media/Sin_city_Wood.jpg


Asked on 8/10/05, 7:52 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Graphic use on book cover

You could make the argument that the image is insufficiently original to qualify for copyright protection, but you might well get sued and lose. You could make a very similar, noninfringing image in about 10 minutes with a digital camera, your kid brother and a copy of Photoshop or even Microsoft Paint. That's what I would do if I were you.

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Answered on 8/10/05, 8:01 pm


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