Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Ok, since we got the ball rolling on website photos and such, I have a question about music videos. I recently had a shoot and the guy comes over with the black tape to cover the names of my guitar and amp. It strikes me odd, as I would think manufacturers would like the FREE advertising a band gives by using their products. I can understand this if you are trying to use it to somehow take business away from them, or slag their stuff in video story context, or infer that such manufacturer shares your extreme political social or sexual views.

What I can't understand, is how people playing the stuff they worked hard to get, love playing, and are proud to own, can't use the gear they own in the same manner as they do live without having to cover the names.

I don't know Rickenbackers policy on this, but if I use my 360-12 in our next shoot, I'd like her to be in "all her glory", so to speak.

Could somebody clarify this, both RICs stance, and the rest of the industry, (if possible), as I am only using the gear to play the songs in what appears to be a live situation, with no alterior motives.

Thank you.

It's your guitar and the pictures or movies that you took of it belong to you. You can do as you as please with them as far as I know.

There could be a number of reasons they are doing this for your video. Maybe they want to eliminate anything distracting so the focus can be on you more... the Scott Pilgrim poster comes to mind... (although I think seeing black tape just distracts my eyes more!) Perhaps they do that so that if manufacturers want the exposure, they'll have to pay for it... (in other words, why buy the cow when the milk is free?) etc etc etc etc... just speculating.

Ive noticed this and im sure ive posted about this a while back.Ive noticed this with artists playing Gibson les paul models.I think its the spiraling vortex that we have have become engorged in, being politically correct is now becoming obsessional and dangerous.

jdogric12 wrote:I think seeing black tape just distracts my eyes more!

+1

They specifically said there was some kind of legal issue unless I was endorsed. The other guitar player has a custom made Tele Junior type thing made for him by his buddy at a small local company, and they made sure to get the name and stuff in the shoot so it would appear somewhere in the video.

I modified the black tape so my Hiwatt just said "Watt" and my Gretsch said "Retsch" haha. We are shooting another video in a couple of months, and very much want my Rick in it, so I was inquiring about the legal part of that, and trying to get an understanding of the other.

Again, it's just me playing my guitar and amp in a "live band" type setting, PG rated lyrics and situations that aren't any type of political or sexual extremism. I don't see how any of this could be construed as harmful to manufacturers of my gear, as the focus is on the group and the storyline, implying nothing other than this is what I play.

Also, a live DVD of some of our European dates is on the table, so how does that situation apply?

Some enlightenment on this issue would be greatly appreciated, both from RICs standpoint and the others if anybody has some advice or information.

Thank you.

whojamfan wrote:They specifically said there was some kind of legal issue unless I was endorsed. Thank you.

Just thought of something else... maybe they have deals with other manufacturers in place that require them to do it? Kind of like reverse promotion... squashing competitors' exposure. Just another wild thought. It sounds like baloney to me, or misunderstanding at best. Someone just doing what they're told without understanding why, or unwilling to share the reason if they do know.

I believe Jason is onto something here. Both make sense and would not surprise me in the least. Both may be in play at the same time - "free milk" and reverse advertising.

...how about if they ask you to put a paper bag over your head?

jdogric12 wrote:

whojamfan wrote:They specifically said there was some kind of legal issue unless I was endorsed. Thank you.

Just thought of something else... maybe they have deals with other manufacturers in place that require them to do it? Kind of like reverse promotion... squashing competitors' exposure. Just another wild thought. It sounds like baloney to me, or misunderstanding at best. Someone just doing what they're told without understanding why, or unwilling to share the reason if they do know.

Good point. It just seems odd, especially when companies pay big bucks to have their product IN a movie (at least I thought they pay for that stuff)! Think about those soft drink and beer cans and banners...the cars and trucks...beauty products on the sides of buses and such, etc., etc.. That's product promotion, and you're doing for free.

The Nickeldeon and Disney shows I watch with my youngest cousin as well cover up all the names of any instrument they use. With Fender or Marshall amps with screws holding on the nameplate, they're unscrewed and removed. It's strange, I know.

Here's an example, on How I Met Your Mother, the brand names are seen.


I'd find a kids show example, but I may get chastised for knowing about/posting it. Thank you, Jonas, for making me watch it with you!

That is disappointing if that's that case.

Vox, Roland, Mesa Boogie, and Gibson haven't sued my band yet, and their logos are clearly visible in our videos. . . then again, with the pittance we earn performing, we're judgment-proof.

paologregorio wrote:That is disappointing if that's that case.

Vox, Roland, Mesa Boogie, and Gibson haven't sued my band yet, and their logos are clearly visible in our videos.

They should be happy, they are getting free advertising.