Thread: Using Facebook "newsfeed" and omitting the logos to avoid copyright breach?

That's a very good suggestion paulears! this could actually help in my asking for corporate sponsorships.. they could just appear as "ads" in my mock-facebook. Also do you have any idea how much I have to pay for the software person to build this for me?

If I go this route though, do I also have to make a false name for my mock-facebook, or can my characters utter "facebook" in the dialogues? I came across an article stating pretty much that as long as the brand names are used in a good light in a film, it is generally permissible: Rights of Writers: Can I Mention Brand Name Products in My Fiction?

I actually already wrote a letter to Facebook asking them for their permission, and they are now asking me to send them screenshots, etc etc on how I intend to use their site on my film.. I mean is all this trouble even worth it granting that I'm not going to use their "brand" in a bad manner in my film anyway?

You can't use the term Facebook even on a mock up as this is still their brand. Yes it's a pain but it has to be done. Anyone one with a brand wants to protect it and promote it. So if you ask they will say yes unless they are not happy with the way you are using it. ie Actor opens up Facebook page on his computer and says "god damn Face book is a piece of S**t". They would not like that. So use a mock up call it Fatbloke, Faceblog or what ever but not Facebook.

All movies you see on the TV and big screen have to go through this process.

You could use a simple wysiwyg type of web production tool - Look for Serif Web+ - the old versions are always very cheap, and you can create something that looks like facebook very quickly, and they have a built in site tester, that uses your web browser to preview the site the have created, using the files on your pc, not the web - so there's no need to even host it for real - somebody can sit at it and use it as if it's live. If you can find an old copy ebay? it will work fine - Serif seem to work by constantly trying to sell you new versions on sale or return - and if you can put up with this, you can get some useful software.

Copyright violation is something which will come back and bite you in the arse.

There is a lot of misinformation on the internet, usually from people confusing the different parts of legislation. There is always some fool who will say "ignore it" but you do so at your peril. Facebook is a brand, so you can't use it without their permission. The words "Face" and "Book" aren't brands and can be used however you like. But... Lawyers will earn a lot of money in court discussing exactly when "face book" becomes "facebook" and you will be paying their fees!
In your link the writer says you can use brands in fiction if you are sensible. He is wrong. You cannot use brands in fiction without permission. He is confusing it with Documentary films. Hence his example of Danny Boyle having to digitally remove loads of logos from the film "Slumdog Millionaire".

Midnight's idea of using "FaceBlog" sounds the best to me (providing, of course, that there isn't a site called FaceBlog).

(providing, of course, that there isn't a site called FaceBlog).

I never thought of that. Welcome to Faceblog