# Sony's offical attitude towards franchises **URL:** \ **Category:** Franchises\ **Created:** [October 22, 2010, 3:47am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668 "2010-10-22T03:47:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cowbybill](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@cowbybill](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/cowbybill)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 3:47am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/1 "2010-10-22T03:47:29Z")
Hi All, We have a theme park up here in the Bay Area who would like to have us appear at the park for some events. The problem is thier legal dept. wants to know if we are offically recoginized by Sony pictures so there is no copyright infringement. Have any other franchises expreienced this, and if so what has been your response? Also has Sony ever offically endorsed the non-profit franchises (which we are, we do not and cannot legally get paid for appearances). Any help you guys can give would be great. I thought about telling them Dan Aykryod supports the franchises but don’t even know if I should go down that road. anyways thanks for any help and insight you can give into this. ---
**Author:** ![Knightspast81](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/knightspast81/32/6013_2.png) [@Knightspast81](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Knightspast81)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 4:02am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/2 "2010-10-22T04:02:31Z")
As far as I know, and from what we’ve been involved with in FL, as long as you’re not making any PROFIT from making an appearance, there is no problem. Worse case scenario, you get a cease and desist at which time you simply comply…as far as using the gb logo is concerned all you need to do is change it 10% to make it legal to use… ---
**Author:** ![enchanted\_unicorn](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@enchanted\_unicorn](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/enchanted_unicorn)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 4:12am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/3 "2010-10-22T04:12:44Z")
However, one could argue that the park is profiting from the GB franchise presence there. A number of patrons who may go to the park to see said GB’s, thus making money for the theme park through the use of a non endorsed franchise. The legal risk is on the park, not the franchise, since you do not charge a fee. This is why the park wants to know if you are endorsed. ---
**Author:** ![Knightspast81](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/knightspast81/32/6013_2.png) [@Knightspast81](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Knightspast81)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 4:29am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/4 "2010-10-22T04:29:43Z")
Good point sir, good point… ---
**Author:** ![jessejames51](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/edb3f5/32.png) [@jessejames51](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/jessejames51)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/5 "2010-10-25T15:20:17Z")
what would be a 10% change to the logo? ---
**Author:** ![Knightspast81](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/knightspast81/32/6013_2.png) [@Knightspast81](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Knightspast81)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 3:13am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/6 "2010-10-26T03:13:18Z")
Like the Orlando Ghostbusters logo..we used Spaceship Earth from Epcot to form our no ghost logo..that’s enough of a change for us not to have issues… ---
**Author:** ![rafj27](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/b9bd4f/32.png) [@rafj27](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/rafj27)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 5:55am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/8 "2010-10-28T05:55:08Z")
just wondering what theme park? …since im from the area ---
**Author:** ![cowbybill](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@cowbybill](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/cowbybill)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 5:59am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/9 "2010-10-28T05:59:34Z")
Great America.. ---
**Author:** ![GAVAL](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/b9bd4f/32.png) [@GAVAL](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/GAVAL)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/10 "2010-11-03T16:54:29Z")
I believe the Arizona Ghostbusters have some kind of official nod from Sony. They use a Sony inflatable [Stay Puft Marshmallow man](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/characters/the-stay-puft-marshmallow-man) owned by Sony at some of their events if I understood correctly. G ---
**Author:** ![ProtonCharger](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@ProtonCharger](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/ProtonCharger)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 5:02pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/11 "2010-11-03T17:02:59Z")
uh no. ask jetta jeffro why he doesnt come around much anymore. it involves that staypuft and someone being thrown under a bus. ---
**Author:** ![deadderek](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/deadderek/32/98787_2.png) [@deadderek](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/deadderek)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 6:45pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/12 "2010-11-03T18:45:36Z")
> [@ProtonCharger](#): > > uh no. ask jetta jeffro why he doesn’t come around much anymore. > > it involves that staypuft and someone being thrown under a bus. Care to elaborate on that? ---
**Author:** ![ProtonCharger](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@ProtonCharger](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/ProtonCharger)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/13 "2010-11-03T18:53:30Z")
thats why i asked you to ask him. someone lost their job over that inflatopuft. ---
**Author:** ![kevinj319](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/kevinj319/32/187120_2.png) [@kevinj319](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/kevinj319)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/14 "2010-11-03T19:20:28Z")
I don’t know where people get this 10% idea. If the logo is still identifiable as “Ghostbusters” or could reasonably be mistaken for “Ghostbusters” then it is an infringement. It also doesn’t matter if it is for profit, charity, or fun. Changing a photo, painting, or sculpture by 10% does not make it legal to reproduce it. It is no different for this particular piece of Sony property. If Sony so desired, they could shut any number of fan sites down as well as put a very abrupt stop to all the franchises. Luckily, Sony seems to realize that letting us have our fun is a good thing for the Ghostbusters property. That could change if people start doing things to piss them off. Whether an appearance is for charity or not, it would still be within Sony’s rights to put a stop to it. ---
**Author:** ![deadderek](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/deadderek/32/98787_2.png) [@deadderek](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/deadderek)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/15 "2010-11-03T19:26:40Z")
> [@kevinj319](#): > > I don’t know where people get this 10% idea. If the logo is still identifiable as “Ghostbusters” or could reasonably be mistaken for “Ghostbusters” then it is an infringement. It also doesn’t matter if it is for profit, charity, or fun. Changing a photo, painting, or sculpture by 10% does not make it legal to reproduce it. It is no different for this particular piece of Sony property. > > If Sony so desired, they could shut any number of fan sites down as well as put a very abrupt stop to all the franchises. Luckily, Sony seems to realize that letting us have our fun is a good thing for the Ghostbusters property. That could change if people start doing things to piss them off. Whether an appearance is for charity or not, it would still be within Sony’s rights to put a stop to it. I was wondering about that 10% nonsense stuff myself. In my job,I have to deal with the fun copyright stuff daily…ugh. ---
**Author:** ![GAVAL](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/b9bd4f/32.png) [@GAVAL](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/GAVAL)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/17 "2010-11-03T20:17:56Z")
> [@ProtonCharger](#): > > uh no. ask jetta jeffro why he doesnt come around much anymore. > > it involves that staypuft and someone being thrown under a bus. I got a completely differant story from a very reliable source. Looks like you’re misinformed. Might wanna talk to Jeff yourself again about it. In fact, if you or me or anyone else wants to fill out the proper paperwork and go pick up the Stay Puft Balloon, you can do so any time, provided Arizona isnt’ already using it that day! G ---
**Author:** ![ProtonCharger](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@ProtonCharger](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/ProtonCharger)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 8:32pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/18 "2010-11-03T20:32:48Z")
> [@GAVAL](#): > > > [@ProtonCharger](#): > > > > uh no. ask jetta jeffro why he doesnt come around much anymore. > > > > it involves that staypuft and someone being thrown under a bus. > > I got a completely differant story from a very reliable source. Looks like you’re misinformed. Might wanna talk to Jeff yourself again about it. > > In fact, if you or me or anyone else wants to fill out the proper paperwork and go pick up the Stay Puft Balloon, you can do so any time, provided Arizona isnt’ already using it that day! > > G please. post that reliable source’s story, and where you can pick up the staypuft. ---
**Author:** ![zareckighostbuster](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/zareckighostbuster/32/6177_2.png) [@zareckighostbuster](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/zareckighostbuster)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 9:36pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/19 "2010-11-03T21:36:21Z")
the stay-puft is being used the weekend of the 13th. Pretty sure they have no desire to no longer have it. ---
**Author:** ![cowbybill](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@cowbybill](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/cowbybill)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 4:30pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/20 "2010-11-10T16:30:14Z")
> [@kevinj319](#): > > I don’t know where people get this 10% idea. If the logo is still identifiable as “Ghostbusters” or could reasonably be mistaken for “Ghostbusters” then it is an infringement. It also doesn’t matter if it is for profit, charity, or fun. Changing a photo, painting, or sculpture by 10% does not make it legal to reproduce it. It is no different for this particular piece of Sony property. > > If Sony so desired, they could shut any number of fan sites down as well as put a very abrupt stop to all the franchises. Luckily, Sony seems to realize that letting us have our fun is a good thing for the Ghostbusters property. That could change if people start doing things to piss them off. Whether an appearance is for charity or not, it would still be within Sony’s rights to put a stop to it. That’s what we are concerned about we do not want to piss off Sony..we want to go do charity events to Sony’s guidlines (if any). and not run the risk being shut down or have sony shutting everyone down. ---
**Author:** ![jackdoud](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/6a8cbe/32.png) [@jackdoud](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/jackdoud)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/21 "2010-11-11T21:22:05Z")
When it comes to fan activites, it’s easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission. Sony doesn’t have time to answer every question put to them about a 25 year old franchise and it’s easier for them to just say “no” to everything than actually think about it. It’s also easier for them to just send a C&D If they see something done they don’t like as actually prosecuting isn’t worth their time either. Unless you’ve heard something offical from Sony saying not to do something chances are you won’t have a problem doing it. Just don’t accept money and don’t kill anyone while in costume, that’s how the 501st makes most of thier events work. ---
**Author:** ![s8film40](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@s8film40](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/s8film40)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668/22 "2010-11-11T22:06:54Z")
Perhaps if you just took the patches off. [Next page](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/sonys-offical-attitude-towards-franchises/10668.md?page=2)