I was wondering what the legal issues in regards to copyrights/trademarks would be in trying to perform dressed in attire resembling characters from movies. I.e. If I was to perform dressed as the Riddler or Joker from Batman ?

To do this legally you would need to license this from the trademark owner. If you can find a Riddler or Joker outfit at a costume store you can wear it. The problem comes in advertisng yourself as the Joker from Batman or whatever. If you live outside LA or NY you can probably get away with it, though not exactly kosher.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. So basically am I free from a lawsuit if I just merely buy a costume and dress up as said characters and perform, but refrain from using any images or references to said characters in adverts ?

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. So basically am I free from a lawsuit if I just merely buy a costume and dress up as said characters and perform, but refrain from using any images or references to said characters in adverts ?

I am not a trademark or copyright attorney, or any type of attorney for that matter, but a friend has been operating her birthday business with Barbie, Hanna Montana, and other characters, without hassle, by following these rules.

I once wanted to use the "The Mask" character in dress at Disneyland as a face character, but it was impossible due to the fact that I or Disney needed to get the rights to do so.
I think this will be same as soon as you do public presentation and specially if you get pais for it, ith or without advertising.

Oliver.

I don't think my friend follows the letter of the law as closely as Disney.

THere are many complexities associated with not just characters, but people. Chrysler was sued for hiring someone to impersonate Bett Midler for a car commercial... An electronics manufacturer was sued by Vanna White and lost when they created a robotic letter turner for a commercial about life in the future.

In the 1970s George Lucas went after The Magic Magazine (not the current one) when they published a Star Wars inspired trick.

YOu aren't just dealing with trademark and copyright issues, but also the right of privacy and the right of publicity....

You can do a character inspired by another character, but be very careful and tread lightly.