Question

Topic: Copywriting

Utilizing Quotations From Celebrities

Posted by Anonymous on 6/22/2008 at 12:54 PM ET 125 Points
Working on a brochure and found a quote online from a famous author. It does not endorse the service promoted in the brochure. It just relates to the theme. I'd like to use the quote, placing the author's name under the phrase so credit is given. Can I use the quote? Do I have to get their permission? Is there anything else I need to do?
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Frank Hurtte on 6/22/2008 at 1:09 PM Accepted
    The answer depends on two things...
    If the quote somehow endorses the product..
    VS.
    If the quote is used as point driving in an argument.

    If the author is dead, think Poe, Robert Lewis Stevenson, Dickens, Thoreau, etc... you are home free.
  • Posted by Pollywog on 6/23/2008 at 1:16 AM Member
    Celebrities and public figures have what's called "right of publicity," meaning they have the right to say what commercial messages they are associated with.

    So, no... You can't use the quote without getting permission from the author. (Assuming we're talking about someone who hasn't been dead a hundred years...)

    More info:
    https://www.publaw.com/rightpriv.html
  • Posted by Markitek on 6/23/2008 at 10:25 AM Member
    You're asking a legal question . . . ask a lawyer, not the folks here.
  • Posted on 6/23/2008 at 7:16 PM Author
    Thank you for your feedback.
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