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The legality of accepting donations for an independent film

Squirminator2kSquirminator2k they/themNorth Hollywood, CARegistered User regular
edited March 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
Does anyone know of a legal way in which an LLC company could solicit donations from fans to produce a short independent film? This is something that will most likely go up on YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

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Posts

  • TavTav Irish Minister for DefenceRegistered User regular
    edited March 2009
    A paypal account?

    Tav on
  • Magus`Magus` The fun has been DOUBLED! Registered User regular
    edited March 2009
    I wasn't aware there was an issue with people donating. It's their money, after all.

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  • Squirminator2kSquirminator2k they/them North Hollywood, CARegistered User regular
    edited March 2009
    There's a historic precedent of companies having to turn away donations from fans because of... legal things. Not sure of the specifics. The only example that springs instantly to mind is when Tom Baker had written a Doctor Who film he wanted to produce and fans started sending him donations which, after consulting his lawyers, he had to return.

    That was in England, admittedly, but I'm reliably informed that it's a bit of a vague area here too.

    Squirminator2k on
    Jump Leads - a scifi-comedy audiodrama podcast
  • ThanatosThanatos Registered User regular
    edited March 2009
    Squirminator2k wrote: »
    There's a historic precedent of companies having to turn away donations from fans because of... legal things. Not sure of the specifics. The only example that springs instantly to mind is when Tom Baker had written a Doctor Who film he wanted to produce and fans started sending him donations which, after consulting his lawyers, he had to return.

    That was in England, admittedly, but I'm reliably informed that it's a bit of a vague area here too.
    This is most likely because it involved a commercial property, and as soon as he started asking for money, he's making money off of someone else's copyright/trademark. Provided you're doing an original work, I don't think there should be any issues.

    Thanatos on
  • MetroidZoidMetroidZoid Registered User regular
    edited March 2009
    What about taxes? I'll admit I'm a complete tax newb, but wouldn't it be a wise idea to keep records of any and all donations?

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  • Squirminator2kSquirminator2k they/them North Hollywood, CARegistered User regular
    edited March 2009
    Thanatos wrote: »
    Squirminator2k wrote: »
    There's a historic precedent of companies having to turn away donations from fans because of... legal things. Not sure of the specifics. The only example that springs instantly to mind is when Tom Baker had written a Doctor Who film he wanted to produce and fans started sending him donations which, after consulting his lawyers, he had to return.

    That was in England, admittedly, but I'm reliably informed that it's a bit of a vague area here too.
    This is most likely because it involved a commercial property, and as soon as he started asking for money, he's making money off of someone else's copyright/trademark. Provided you're doing an original work, I don't think there should be any issues.

    Insofar as this particular project is concerned, that's a "No." Bugger.

    Squirminator2k on
    Jump Leads - a scifi-comedy audiodrama podcast
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