Saint Paul, MN asked in Contracts and Copyright for Minnesota

Q: Self-publishing a fitness book, with models wearing brands like Nike/using equipments with brand logos on it, copyright?

The book has many photos of models performing a demo on how to do a certain exercise. Models are wearing clothing with brand logos like Nike or using equipments with brand logos on it. Is that a copyright issue? Would I need to cover all the logos? even though those are items that we own?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Jason Brooks
Jason Brooks
Answered
  • Intellectual Property Lawyer
  • los angeles, CA

A: Unfortunately this would qualify for infringement. While it’s unlikely that any of these brands would care, namely because it’s free advertising for them, any of them would be well within their right to sue you and shut the project down. To be on the safe side I would definitely either reshoot your photos without any branding showing, or edit out any identifiable logos/branding from the existing photos before you publish. If you would like to discuss further, email me at: Jason@altviewlawgroup.com

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