Discussion:
What is the name of your state? DC
Alright, this should be a relatively simple question.
I was just filming a friend of mine in a mall, on my cellphone. Of course there were store names and we went into a few, and just looked around. We said the store's name a few times.
I added some music to the movie, and just put it up on the internet so my friends could view it. No one has to pay or anything for it.
Do I need to blur/beep out the corporate names? Do I need to remove the music, which is not mine, from the movie? Do I need permission from the store to be in there?
Answer:
Do I need to blur/beep out the corporate names? No, if the mall allows for photography on its premises. You'll want to check with the mall owners to find out if photography or videography is allowed on their premises. If it is allowed, then there is no problem with photographing or videotaping that corporate names on the signs clearly visible from a place where it is legal to photograph.
But again, the mall is (most likely) private property, and they can prohibit photography if they want.
Do I need to remove the music, which is not mine, from the movie? Unless you have a license to use the music, yes.
Do I need permission from the store to be in there? While you probably don't need permission from the store to enter the store (permission is implied from the fact that the store is open), the store may refuse to allow photography or videography.