Celebrity Copyright?

[tylerweitzman]

I've noticed there are many apps on the store that deal with celebrity (about Justin Bieber and such)

How does this work legally? Am I allowed to make an app that uses Justin Bieber's name, what about his picture?, and what about his songs? (though I guess thats on a different level because its copyrighted work)

[samurle]

Originally Posted by tylerweitzman

I've noticed there are many apps on the store that deal with celebrity (about Justin Bieber and such)

How does this work legally? Am I allowed to make an app that uses Justin Bieber's name, what about his picture?, and what about his songs? (though I guess thats on a different level because its copyrighted work)

No, no, and no.

Apple doesn't check every submitted app for trademark and copyright infrigement.
That's not Apple's job. You are liable for what you submit.

[tylerweitzman]

Oh sorry maybe I was a bit unclear. I don't mean what does Apple do about it but rather what are the legal rules for it (I want to find out that what is legally allowed without infringement before I do it).

[bignoggins]

It's trademark infringement and yes it is illegal.

[ilmman]

Maybe it can be legal if its a "PARODY" . Not sure about laws using parodies but i seen so many of them around. So claim some app to be a parody of some sort and see if u get sued for millions or not.

[bignoggins]

Originally Posted by ilmman

Maybe it can be legal if its a "PARODY" . Not sure about laws using parodies but i seen so many of them around. So claim some app to be a parody of some sort and see if u get sued for millions or not.

From my understanding parodies only apply to copyright not trademark. When you are dealing with a celebrity that's a trademark. You are using their likeness.

A parody would be along the lines of a song that makes fun of rebecca black's friday or something, called Saturday.

[RoryHarvey]

Originally Posted by samurle

No, no, and no.

You CAN use his name.

You CAN use his image if you are the copyright holder for his image (ie a photo of him you took yourself, a cartoon caricature of him you drew yourself)

You CANNOT use his music.