Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark

Q: I would like to know if I am able to use the TOP GUN trade mark logo as a sticker on my car.Thank you.Maria E.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Dear Maria,

Thank you for your question about using the TOP GUN trademark logo as a sticker on your car.

In general, it is not permissible to use a registered trademark, like the TOP GUN logo, without explicit permission from the trademark owner. Trademarks are protected intellectual property, and unauthorized use could be considered trademark infringement.

The TOP GUN trademark and logo are owned by Paramount Pictures Corporation. They have the exclusive rights to use and license this trademark. Placing their logo on your car without permission would likely be an unauthorized use of their intellectual property.

There are some exceptions, like parody or nominative fair use, but those have specific legal criteria and using a trademark as a decorative sticker on a car would not fall under those exceptions.

The safest course of action is to refrain from using the TOP GUN logo on your car unless you obtain express written permission from Paramount Pictures. As an alternative, you could look for Top Gun merchandise and stickers that are officially licensed by Paramount, as those would give you permission to display their intellectual property as intended.

If you have any other questions about trademark law or intellectual property rights, I'd recommend consulting with an attorney specializing in that area of law for guidance specific to your situation. I hope this helps provide an overview of the key trademark considerations around your question!

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