Permission vs. Authorization:

[Radio_bored-Op]

say, my news talk station..
on the weekends, wants to 'branch out' and
launches a video game talk show
(working title: ps-three-60 minutes : )
-
sports station: wants to branch out and
has a WWE ( primarily only WWE_related topics)
for a 2hr.talk show on sun mornings...
-
Does the station have to get permission
to talk about wwe. . since every topic will
most definately be addressed by the
copyright name the (WWE Celeb) is well known for
(OR) is that the way around it - use real names?
-
as far as video games:
same deal - you cant say that "newly released franchise ps3
platform game that features the italian sports car"
( dancing around: a lamborghini) and not mentioning
the (ie) the latest gran turismo game..

can u just say, the name of the game
(be annoying) if u have to say, we are talking about
the fifth installment of the free form crime adventure
[ie: grand theft auto 5] . . .

just wondering..

 

[Radio_bored-Op]

last post was focused on obtaining authorization,
now as far as permission: if it is required, how
"accesible/easy" would it be to get everything
in place to make it an OFFICIAL (wwe)talk show,
-
Or, if needed for more of general topics
for video games, how willing would
sony/and microsoft "getting" along to
give your talk show the green light...

 

[borderblaster]

Very interesting topic that may need an attorney's input. I'd think you can talk about Fords, and Ford Mustangs but WWE guards their brand seriously. Interested in the answer

 

[TheBigA]

I've asked the question about the NFL and Super Bowl. The answer I got is you can talk about it, but you can't brand something as "nfl" or the specific team or "super bowl." There are lots of sports stations that talk about football and specific teams and games that aren't the authorized team or NFL stations. If a station in Boston that doesn't have the rights to the Patriots does a Patriots show, it is likely to get a C&D from the team and the NFL. But if it talks about the team in the course of its regular sports talk programming, they're OK.

That said, there are many types of wrestling besides WWE. There are many types of video games besides Madden. It seems to me (and I haven't researched the specific issues you bring up) that as long as you don't brand the show WWE or The Ford Show, and cover other brands besides the best known, you're OK. But consult an IP attorney to be sure.

 

[quadraphonic]

Last I heard, broadcast management class, TheBigA is right, you can TALK about any topic under the sun, even use the team/league/game names, you just can't USE their copyrighted/trademarked brands, logos, etc. in your show name or other promotional branding you're doing (to make a profit directly or indirectly) without their permission.
You'd be better off making it The Wrasslin Hour or Video Game Hour or Bill Smith Talks Video Games or something generic anyway, because there are other types of video games and wrestling you'll sometimes want to include.

You're better off branding your hosts or a generic show title anyway.
It would undoubtedly be difficult and prohibitively expensive and probably not realistic to be "the official WWE talk show" or "the official PS3 talk show" without having them pick the hosts, do the imaging, the promotions, and be in charge of it all. If Vince McMahon or Bill Gates thought they could make money (or enough goodwill to make money) off it, they would've done it by now. They don't want you stealing their ideas (and most of their potential ideas, without some monetary compensation) anyway.

 

[HotTalker]

The post before this put it in much more detail, but basically you can't use a company's trademarks as your own. Talking about video games by name and wrestlers and wrestling shows is covered under fair use laws, because you're commenting on the games or programs.

Short answer: Drop the PS3 related name, and you'll be fine. It's hacky, and would be obsolete when the next game console comes out. Never date your show like that.

And how can I get a job with a station that has the guts to air such things? I'm sick of hearing about abortion all the time.

 

[borderblaster]

I know there's a video game show on a station in Springfield IL and I've heard of a couple of wrestling shows on local stations

 

[Radio_bored-Op]

Thank You for the replies,
and thank you FOR not nit-picking about the
way I express my post. My own board ( city where I live)
always says, thinks we need 2 lawyers:
1. to read what I wrote and a second to answer it.
>I have a few issues w/ communication barriers,
but I apperciate the respect of the post-ers here.

Cheers,
-I asked about the wwe. Because its frustrating when
local stations speak of other wrestling forums/leagues, etc
because the casual fan wont know of an Ohio valley newbie
that might be HUGE in a few years, and it is frustrating the
hosts act like you "should know" - so, I thought just cover
the wwe. . as it is the biggest, and most familiar.

 

[HotTalker]

Cheers,
-I asked about the wwe. Because its frustrating when
local stations speak of other wrestling forums/leagues, etc
because the casual fan wont know of an Ohio valley newbie
that might be HUGE in a few years, and it is frustrating the
hosts act like you "should know" - so, I thought just cover
the wwe. . as it is the biggest, and most familiar.

You can talk about WWE all you want, use the names of the talent and shows, and talk about their storylines. What you can't do is call your show "Stone Cold Radio" or something like that. The shows are newsworthy, and therefore subject to fair use laws. I'd worry more about the management not wanting you to talk about wrestling so much. I know I've personally seen that.