# Script Clearance Report — the_errand

Generated by Clearcut on 2026-09-09 02:03 UTC. Pre-production mode: entities extracted from the screenplay, researched before a frame is shot.

> **STATUS: DRAFT — NOT CLEARED.** Recommendations are implemented by production and closed by the attorney of record.

## Elements by scene

| # | Scene | Type | Element | Recommendation | Notes / rights holder |
|---|-------|------|---------|----------------|------------------------|
| ent_01 | INT. KITCHEN — MORNING | Character name | Elena Vasquez | check against real people in setting; rename on conflict | Need to check for real people with this name in the relevant geographical area. |
| ent_02 | INT. KITCHEN — MORNING | Product / brand | Coca-Cola | ATTORNEY REVIEW | The Coca-Cola Company |
| ent_03 | INT. KITCHEN — MORNING | Product / brand | iPhone | DEEMPHASIZE (incidental use) | Apple Inc. |
| ent_04 | INT. KITCHEN — MORNING | Character name | Dr. Marcus Welby | check against real people in setting; rename on conflict | The name is a famous fictional character from a television show; needs clearance for likeness/naming rights. |
| ent_05 | INT. KITCHEN — MORNING | Artwork / media | The Starry Night | research pending | The artwork is in the public domain but a physical reproduction must be cleared if it is an exact copy of a specific print. |
| ent_06 | INT. LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS | Real person | Tom Cruise | LICENSE REQUIRED | Tom Cruise |
| ent_07 | INT. LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS | Song / lyric | Bohemian Rhapsody | LICENSE REQUIRED | EMI Glenwood Music Corp. o/b/o Queen Music Ltd. |
| ent_08 | INT. LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS | Product / brand | Nike | DEEMPHASIZE (incidental use) | NIKE, Inc. |
| ent_09 | EXT. BOYLSTON STREET, BOSTON — DAY | Location | Boylston Street, Boston | location release / permit; verify signage | Filming in specific public locations may require permits and clearance for surrounding signage. |
| ent_10 | EXT. BOYLSTON STREET, BOSTON — DAY | Product / brand | Starbucks | LICENSE REQUIRED | Starbucks Corporation |
| ent_11 | EXT. BOYLSTON STREET, BOSTON — DAY | Organization | Boston Globe | research pending | The use of the newspaper's trademarked logo and brand requires permission. |
| ent_12 | EXT. BOYLSTON STREET, BOSTON — DAY | On-screen text | CITY COUNCIL VOTES ON TRANSIT FARES | clear source or create original | Fictionalized headlines must be checked to ensure they do not imply real-world libel or misrepresentation. |
| ent_13 | EXT. BOYLSTON STREET, BOSTON — DAY | Organization | FBI | research pending | Using the FBI name or official gear is highly regulated and requires clearance for government representation. |
| ent_14 | INT. JOE'S DINER — DAY | Business name | Joe's Diner | research pending | Must ensure no real business by this name exists in this location to avoid association. |
| ent_15 | INT. JOE'S DINER — DAY | Character name | Danny Reyes | check against real people in setting; rename on conflict | Need to check if there is a real person by this name in the area to avoid defamation. |
| ent_16 | INT. JOE'S DINER — DAY | Real person | Mayor Michelle Wu | ATTORNEY REVIEW | Michelle Wu |
| ent_17 | EXT. FENWAY PARK, GATE C — NOON | Location | Fenway Park | location release / permit; verify signage | Fenway Park is a trademarked venue and requires a license for depiction. |
| ent_18 | EXT. FENWAY PARK, GATE C — NOON | Product / brand | Dunkin' | LICENSE REQUIRED | DD IP Holder LLC |
| ent_19 | EXT. FENWAY PARK, GATE C — NOON | Artwork / media | Nightfall | research pending | Need to confirm that 'Nightfall' is a fictional film title to avoid conflicting with actual intellectual property. |

## Dossiers (researched elements)

### ent_02 — Coca-Cola (Product / brand, INT. KITCHEN — MORNING)
- **Rights holder:** The Coca-Cola Company
- **Status:** Live/Registered (Registration #3252896)
- **Recommendation:** ATTORNEY REVIEW
- **Contact / process:** Contact The Coca-Cola Company regarding usage rights or negotiate a formal product placement agreement.
- **Summary:** Coca-Cola is a globally recognized, active trademark owned by The Coca-Cola Company. While incidental use in film may sometimes be permissible under specific legal defenses (such as de minimis use), the brand owner actively manages its intellectual property. Using the brand in a way that suggests endorsement, causes confusion, or portrays the brand negatively carries significant legal risk. Productions should undergo attorney review to determine if the specific usage constitutes incidental appearance or requires formal licensing/clearance to avoid claims of unauthorized association.
- **Sources:** https://www.klemchuk.com/ideate/product-placement-use-of-brands-in-productions · https://darkskiesfilm.com/do-i-need-to-clear-every-brand-in-my-film · https://www.researchhouse.ca/faq · https://www.coca-colacompany.com/policies-and-practices/patent-license-for-suppliers · https://nofilmschool.com/options-for-clearing-ip-for-independent-productions

### ent_03 — iPhone (Product / brand, INT. KITCHEN — MORNING)
- **Rights holder:** Apple Inc.
- **Status:** Potential for trademark conflict; legally ambiguous but generally permissible if not disparaging.
- **Recommendation:** DEEMPHASIZE (incidental use)
- **Contact / process:** Consult with production counsel; check for formal licensing agreements if product placement is intended, otherwise rely on nominative fair use principles.
- **Summary:** While trademark law generally allows for the incidental depiction of real-world products in film, Apple is known for protecting its brand identity. Legal consensus suggests that showing an iPhone is typically permissible under fair use provided the depiction is not defamatory, does not falsely imply endorsement by Apple, and does not constitute trade libel. However, explicit product placement or usage in a way that could damage the brand's reputation may trigger legal action. Practitioners often recommend clearing the brand if the depiction is prominent or sensitive, though incidental use often does not strictly require a license.
- **Sources:** https://ask.metafilter.com/347847/Legal-ability-to-use-brands-in-movies-without-permission · https://www.quora.com/Are-you-allowed-to-use-an-IPhone-in-a-commercial-video-for-another-brand · https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/using-trademarks-in-film-and-tv · https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=1133c04b-6fec-41ae-aca2-677e85dfb994 · https://www.apple.com/legal/macapps/stdeula/

### ent_06 — Tom Cruise (Real person, INT. LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS)
- **Rights holder:** Tom Cruise
- **Status:** Restricted
- **Recommendation:** LICENSE REQUIRED
- **Contact / process:** Requires formal clearance from Tom Cruise or his authorized representatives; he reportedly maintains strict contractual clauses prohibiting the unauthorized use of his likeness for merchandising or commercial replication.
- **Summary:** Tom Cruise maintains tight control over his persona and likeness, including specific contractual clauses that restrict the use of his image for merchandise. While he has been the subject of unauthorized deepfakes and AI-generated content, he is known to be protective of his brand, and his legal team actively monitors unauthorized use of his likeness.
- **Sources:** https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tom-cruise-hidden-movie-contract-205500186.html · https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11946833/Tom-Cruise-deepfake-mastermind-files-copyright-likeness-spot-fakes.html · https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ODCxLOLi-Us · https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/how-many-licenses-does-tom-cruise-have/ · https://www.youtube.com/shorts/L1875Ab84S8

### ent_07 — Bohemian Rhapsody (Song / lyric, INT. LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS)
- **Rights holder:** EMI Glenwood Music Corp. o/b/o Queen Music Ltd.
- **Status:** Copyrighted
- **Recommendation:** LICENSE REQUIRED
- **Contact / process:** Requires Master Use License (from recording owner) and Synchronization License (from music publisher). Can be facilitated through licensing agents such as Easy Song or directly via the publisher.
- **Summary:** Bohemian Rhapsody is a copyrighted musical composition written by Freddie Mercury and published by EMI Glenwood Music Corp. o/b/o Queen Music Ltd. To use this song in a film, both a Master Use License (for the specific recording) and a Synchronization License (for the underlying composition) are mandatory. Use of the work is heavily restricted and requires formal negotiation with the copyright holders.
- **Sources:** http://songfacts.com/licensing/queen/bohemian-rhapsody · http://easysong.com/search/songs/song-copyright-holder-information.aspx?s=11504 · https://secondhandsongs.com/license/request/new?performance=817 · https://www.easysong.com/search/songs/song-copyright-holder-information.aspx?s=25512 · https://secondhandsongs.com/license/request/new?work=817

### ent_08 — Nike (Product / brand, INT. LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS)
- **Rights holder:** NIKE, Inc.
- **Status:** Trademarked
- **Recommendation:** DEEMPHASIZE (incidental use)
- **Contact / process:** General trademark use in film does not typically require a license, provided the product is used as intended and not disparaged. For specific product placement or promotional use, contact Nike's corporate legal or marketing departments.
- **Summary:** Nike, Inc. maintains extensive trademark rights over their name and 'Swoosh' logo. While legal precedents suggest that filmmakers may feature recognizable products in a natural, non-disparaging manner without explicit permission, Nike's own terms of use prohibit unauthorized use. It is recommended to use such branding incidentally to avoid potential legal challenges or trade libel claims, while consulting production counsel for definitive vetting.
- **Sources:** https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/do-i-need-permission-to-use-a-brand-like-coke-or-n-440748.html · https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1514242/000162828015006800/exhibit104trademarklicense.htm · https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/using-trademarks-in-film-and-tv · https://www.scribd.com/document/504400700/Nike-License-Agreement-1st-2nd-Amendments · https://agreementservice.svs.nike.com/us/en_us/rest/agreement?agreementType=termsOfUse&uxId=com.nike.commerce.nikedotcom.web&country=US&language=en&requestType=redirect

### ent_10 — Starbucks (Product / brand, EXT. BOYLSTON STREET, BOSTON — DAY)
- **Rights holder:** Starbucks Corporation
- **Status:** Registered and active trademark
- **Recommendation:** LICENSE REQUIRED
- **Contact / process:** Requires formal product placement or licensing agreement from the brand owner; direct licensing for third-party use is strictly controlled.
- **Summary:** Starbucks trademarks and logos are protected intellectual property owned exclusively by Starbucks Corporation. Evidence indicates that use of these marks in commercial productions generally requires formal clearance or a product placement agreement to mitigate risks of trademark infringement or dilution. Unauthorized use is strongly discouraged by legal experts.
- **Sources:** https://www.starbucks.com/terms/suppliers-standard-terms-and-conditions/ · https://ijmess.org/assets/front_end/uplodes/gallery/OUCIP709IJMESS.pdf · https://www.nestleusa.com/media/pressreleases/nestle-starbucks-close-agreement-perpetual-global-license-consumer-packaged-goods-foodservice · https://www.comunicaffe.com/find-out-how-you-can-license-a-starbucks-a-new-report-from-consumer-guardian-org/ · https://www.onecle.com/contracts/starbucks/aramark.lic.1996.05.07.shtml

### ent_16 — Mayor Michelle Wu (Real person, INT. JOE'S DINER — DAY)
- **Rights holder:** Michelle Wu
- **Status:** Incumbent Mayor of Boston
- **Recommendation:** ATTORNEY REVIEW
- **Contact / process:** Mayor's Office, City of Boston
- **Summary:** Michelle Wu is a living, public figure currently serving as the Mayor of Boston. As an identifiable public official, her name and likeness are protected under rights of publicity. Usage in film may trigger legal implications depending on the context of the portrayal; attorney review is advised to determine if the intended use falls under protected First Amendment categories such as biographical, satirical, or newsworthy content.
- **Sources:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Wu · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayoralty_of_Michelle_Wu · https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/08/09/boston-mayor-michelle-wu-to-announce-latest-license-in-long-island-bridge-plan-amid-opioid-crisis/ · https://www.boston.gov/departments/mayors-office/michelle-wu · http://boston.gov/departments/311/city-boston-government

### ent_18 — Dunkin' (Product / brand, EXT. FENWAY PARK, GATE C — NOON)
- **Rights holder:** DD IP Holder LLC
- **Status:** Trademarked
- **Recommendation:** LICENSE REQUIRED
- **Contact / process:** Requires formal clearance or licensing from DD IP Holder LLC for non-incidental or commercial use.
- **Summary:** The Dunkin' trademark, including the Dunkin' Donuts word mark and associated logos, is protected intellectual property owned by DD IP Holder LLC. Legal precedents suggest that while incidental use in the background of a scene may pose a lower risk, direct commercial use or prominent placement requires formal permission. It is recommended to secure a license or product placement agreement to mitigate risks of trademark infringement or dilution claims.
- **Sources:** https://rodriqueslaw.com/blog/how-use-brands-and-products-film/ · https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1357204/000119312511172042/dex1031.htm · https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/trademarked-logos-appear-in-a-low-budget-film-i-ma-478241.html · http://trademarks.justia.com/861/33/dunkin-86133724.html · https://www.cohnlg.com/trademarks/restaurants/dunkin/

## E&O procedure checklist

- [ ] Copyright chain of title — literary material
- [ ] Written rights agreements — third-party content
- [ ] Defamation & libel clearance (attorney)
- [ ] Full cast script clearance — names/businesses/organizations
- [ ] All-media distribution rights in contracts
- [ ] Music licenses — sync + performance + master use
- [ ] Film & footage clip authorization
- [ ] Unsolicited-submission conflict check
- [ ] Ongoing disclosure of post-application issues
- [ ] Bonus/extra content cleared to same standard
- [ ] Renewal-term copyright authorization
- [ ] Assignment & sublicensing rights granted

*Checklist items are closed by the attorney of record, not by agents.*