I'm writing a TV pilot about a baseball player (fictitious), and I'm wondering how hard is to get the MLB permission to use the teams' logos on the story. It's important to consider that I'm Mexican.
Screenwriting : Baseball by Roberto Dragonne
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Roberto, I'm pleased that you are Mexican (my Sister-in-Law is) but not sure why this would be important to the rest of your question?
I think it may depend on the team. I remember reading somewhere that Daniel Stern said he quite easily got permission from the Chicago Cubs to use them in Rookie of the Year.
It doesn't matter one darn bit. Just write your story. If you produce it, then you can worry. But for words on the page... just tell the story.
It really depends. For example, maybe the pilot is about a high school baseball player, and there's an MLB logo in one scene. That would simply require a clearance. (http://www.filmindependent.org/resources/find-answers-about-film-clearan...) Or for example, maybe the pilot is about a New York Yankee, playing in multiple games over the season. That may require some kind of league and team partnership, and it's an entirely different matter. http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mtv-and-major-league-baseball-ann... In any case, it will depend on how MLB is portrayed. Good luck!!
Anthony, I mentioned it because I think that maybe it's harder for a foreign writer to have that kind of permission from MLB. Kerri, great! Good to know, thanks. Shelley, great advice, I will keep writing. Regina, thanks for the information and the link. Again, thanks to everyone.
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An excellent and comprehensive book on the subject: Clearance & Copyright, Everything You Need to Know for Film and Televison, Michael C. Donaldson and Lisa A. Callif of Donaldson & Callif in LA.
Thank you Philip! I will look for it.
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It's worth every penny!