Thread: 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?

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.

Originally Posted by lin

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.