Do I need rights to use a puppet in a movie?

Question

We're making a short film (comedy) where a puppet is the main character. We didn't make the puppet, but we bought it on line, and it is our property. The question is, do we have to have the puppet manufacturer's permission to show the video (with their puppet prominently displayed) on line (i.e., YouTube)? Further, do we need the manufacturer's permission to sell the video, or otherwise make money off of the video?
Thanks!

Answer 1

Get a lawyer. Do not trust something this important to an anonymous poster.

I believe that you would have to get permission because the manufacturer has the rights to that character's likeness and any monies made from it. The puppet belongs to you, but not it's image.

If you make a puppet that looks very similar to Elmo (for example), you could probably be sued for using it in a film if you plan on making money from the film.

Look up "intellectual property," and you'll find enough to scare you away from doing this project without permission.

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