Celebrity Photo Usage Guidelines

Summary

Using a celebritys photo for academic purposes in California may involve right of publicity and copyright issues. While non-commercial use is generally less restrictive, fair use might apply depending on factors like purpose, nature, amount used, and effect on market value. Consulting a lawyer can help clarify these nuances.

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I'm wondering if I can use a photo of a celebrity performing publicly I found online as a profile picture in a study I'm conducting
In California, using a celebrity's photo, even one found online, can raise issues related to right of publicity and copyright.
- Right of Publicity: Celebrities have the right to control the use of their likeness for commercial purposes.
- Copyright: The photo is likely protected by copyright law, and using it without permission could be an infringement.
To better assist you, can you clarify if the study is for commercial purposes or purely academic?
purely academic
In California, using a celebrity's photo for academic purposes might still raise concerns:
- Right of Publicity: Generally less restrictive for non-commercial use.
- Copyright: Fair use might apply in an academic context, but it depends on factors like purpose, nature, amount used, and effect on market value.
Consulting a lawyer can help clarify these nuances. Do you need more detailed information on fair use?