robot chicken legal? at DVinfo.net

Willis Petti · October 26th, 2007, 03:37 PM

I'm wondering what's the rules on using toys and such for stop motion. I guess I wonder how the show "robot chicken" doesn't get in trouble for using copyright toys and such.

Do the companies not care or is it ok to do a show like that?

Brian Boyko · October 26th, 2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willis Petti

I'm wondering what's the rules on using toys and such for stop motion. I guess I wonder how the show "robot chicken" doesn't get in trouble for using copyright toys and such.

Do the companies not care or is it ok to do a show like that?

It's legal but only because it's parody, and parody is protected speech. Otherwise, you're appropriating likeness.

Steve House · October 27th, 2007, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willis Petti

I'm wondering what's the rules on using toys and such for stop motion. I guess I wonder how the show "robot chicken" doesn't get in trouble for using copyright toys and such.

Do the companies not care or is it ok to do a show like that?

There are exceptions to everything, of course, but very roughly stated, the general rule is that if it exists in some tangible form and was created any time within the last 100 years, odds are somebody somewhere owns it and you need their permission to use it.

Daniel Ross · October 27th, 2007, 07:46 AM

Regardless, parodies fall outside those regulations, but true in other cases, Steve.

October 26th, 2007, 03:37 PM	#1
Willis Petti New Boot Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 19	robot chicken legal? I'm wondering what's the rules on using toys and such for stop motion. I guess I wonder how the show "robot chicken" doesn't get in trouble for using copyright toys and such. Do the companies not care or is it ok to do a show like that?

October 27th, 2007, 07:46 AM	#4
Daniel Ross Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Marin & Davis, CA, USA Posts: 418	Regardless, parodies fall outside those regulations, but true in other cases, Steve.