Working on a documentary myself I've come across the fair use question and after some research I found that you can use any image, sound, or motion picture footage as long as there is a significant information provided that supports the use of that media. For example if you wanted to use the pic of the TRS-80 you'd have to have a voice over or text describing the TRS-80 or it would have to relate to the subject matter in that section of the film. Also keep in mind though that photographing a book is not in violation of copyright and is fair to use, scans are a different story because of the near-perfect replication. For example, I could film somebody playing Dragon's Lair from beginning to end and have no problems whatsoever, but if I used the actual video footage and presented it on-screen then I would have to make sure that my scene requires that footage to support it. It's a really hazy gray area which is why I'm going for a full-blown licensing agreement to clear it up. Hope this helps.
All of our stuff will be cleared by the studio's legal team anyway, but yes, that's the definition of fair use that we've been told as well.
*************************** Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
Working on a documentary myself I've come across the fair use question and after some research I found that you can use any image, sound, or motion picture footage as long as there is a significant information provided that supports the use of that media. For example if you wanted to use the pic of the TRS-80 you'd have to have a voice over or text describing the TRS-80 or it would have to relate to the subject matter in that section of the film. Also keep in mind though that photographing a book is not in violation of copyright and is fair to use, scans are a different story because of the near-perfect replication. For example, I could film somebody playing Dragon's Lair from beginning to end and have no problems whatsoever, but if I used the actual video footage and presented it on-screen then I would have to make sure that my scene requires that footage to support it. It's a really hazy gray area which is why I'm going for a full-blown licensing agreement to clear it up. Hope this helps.
All of our stuff will be cleared by the studio's legal team anyway, but yes, that's the definition of fair use that we've been told as well.
***************************
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.