Writers Forum - WritingForums.com Home Rules FAQ Members Groups Calendar Gallery Search
» Sign Up «

Welcome to Writing Forums, one of the fastest growing writing communties on the web.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and photo galleries. By joining our free community you will be able to talk with other writers, get feedback on your work to improve your writing skills, discuss ideas, share tips & tricks, network and make friends!

Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact support.
  Search Forums
Lit.Org - Bootcamp for writers. Post your work and other writers review it, it's that easy.

Advanced Search



Go Back   Writers Forum - WritingForums.com > Creativity > Scripts & Plays
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Scripts & Plays Scripts, Plays, Movies etc.

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 06-11-2008, 03:20 PM   #1
Prolific Writer
 
Mklangelo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Flyover country
Gender: Male
Posts: 291
Mklangelo is an unknown quantity at this point
How is libel defined as it pertains to screenplays?

I have a not very flattering one-liner in my screenplay in which a very well known fast food chain is mentioned by name. Their mascot is also named. How the mascot if referred to is what makes it funny.


Can this be a problem for me at some point? Or can I say that it is simply the opinion of the character?
__________________
A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.

- Mark Twain
Mklangelo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2008, 07:28 PM   #2
lin
Wordsmith
 
lin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: On islands
Gender: Male
Posts: 7,706
lin is on a distinguished road
Hard to call. Especially not knowing what it is.

Some of the outfits sic lawyers in a heartbeat, others not.

My suggestion: don't worry about it. If it's funny and some agent or producer laughs, then makes the script, THEIR lawyers will worry about it.

Nothing's libel if not published.

By the way, you can't really libel a mascot or entity that doesn't actually exist.
__________________
lin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2008, 11:56 AM   #3
Prolific Writer
 
Mklangelo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Flyover country
Gender: Male
Posts: 291
Mklangelo is an unknown quantity at this point
Talking

Quote:
Originally Posted by lin View Post
Hard to call. Especially not knowing what it is.

Some of the outfits sic lawyers in a heartbeat, others not.

My suggestion: don't worry about it. If it's funny and some agent or producer laughs, then makes the script, THEIR lawyers will worry about it.

Nothing's libel if not published.

By the way, you can't really libel a mascot or entity that doesn't actually exist.
The reason I ask is a remember reading about this step in screenplay selling called an "Annotation meeting," or some such thing. Anyway, in it you basically sign something that holds the studio completely not responsible for any plagiarism. I would think they would include any libelous stuff in the movie as well.

Yes, chances are I will never be at one of these meetings. This I know.

And no, this consideration is not affecting my story one iota.
__________________
A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.

- Mark Twain
Mklangelo is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:29 AM.
Powered by vBulletin, Copyright ©2000-2007, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.1.0


 
You are NOT Logged In.
User Name:

Password



Newsletter

Subscribe to Majestic
the official newsletter of Writing Forums and lit.org
Email:


Related Links

Link to Us:
Writing Forums - Discussions for Writers