# Who controls Vincent Price's estate? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 11, 2024, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418 "2024-02-11T03:54:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/1 "2024-02-11T03:54:59Z")
A convention I am involved with (Orycon) wants to honor him as a “Ghost of Honor”, and would like to know who to contact for permission to use his name and image. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/2 "2024-02-11T04:06:32Z")
I read at Vincent [Price.com](http://Price.com) the estate is managed by his family. It was a website so veracity is suspect. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/3 "2024-02-11T04:06:51Z")
Simpsons did it! Pretty close, anyway: A fictional depiction of Price’s next of kin, taking carebof business. Sorry for the sketchy vid quality. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GD-_v1FYUoQ/hqdefault.jpg "Vincent price simpsons") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD-_v1FYUoQ) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/4 "2024-02-11T04:10:18Z")
Also, I can’t imagine anyone would care if you used a picture of him and gave him an honor no one but you guys care about. I say do it in good conscience. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/5 "2024-02-11T04:13:36Z")
We are a polite group-We always attempt to use images with the proper permission whenever possible. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/6 "2024-02-11T04:16:54Z")
Googling, it _might_ be [this company](https://dead-famous.com/), which says it “negotiates licences for the commercial use of photography, film & video images of legendary movie & historical icons for advertising, product endorsement & merchandising.” Calling him a “ghost of honor” _might_ be viewed as a product endorsement. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/7 "2024-02-11T04:17:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > We are a polite group-We always attempt to use images with the proper permission whenever possible. It never hurts to be polite. Growing up, I was a big fan of his movies. I hope you have luck contacting whomever you need to in order to make Price your Ghost of Honor. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/8 "2024-02-11T04:19:14Z")
What is Orycon? If you could contact the studio he worked at I bet they have an office just for this kinda thing. I don’t remember who he worked for. Even if it’s not in business anymore there’s gotta be a historical or legal department at the parent company. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/9 "2024-02-11T04:22:04Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > What is Orycon? It is a regional non-profit science fiction and fantasy convention. [orycon.org](http://orycon.org) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/10 "2024-02-11T04:25:22Z")
I just looked at a recording I have of Masque of the Red death. It’s American International Pictures, Inc. Now owned by " Filmways" presentations dahling☺️ (In LA) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/11 "2024-02-11T05:47:19Z")
I’m afraid he worked for many different studios, both before, and after, The Red Death. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/12 "2024-02-11T06:31:30Z")
You might want to reach out to his daughter. From her Wikipedia page: > Although Victoria is the daughter of a horror icon, she is not a fan of horror films, but she is a fan of horror film fans. She often attends and speaks at horror conventions. > [Victoria Price - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Price?wprov=sfti1#) ---
**Author:** ![ColdBrew50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9a140/32.png) [@ColdBrew50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColdBrew50)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/13 "2024-02-11T07:28:58Z")
Victoria Price is a delight. Very much her father’s daughter, in terms of wit, elegance, and a hearty sense of humor. For an example of her ebullience and savoir-faire, she was the guest of honor during a MST3K-related event, namely, when “The Mads Are Back” aired and riffed the classic film _The Tingler_, and she was charming and candid. I would ask her, and she would say “yes,” almost certainly, although she may have questions about the nature of this little group, perhaps because of the extremely odd name. If some corporation thinks they are owed a piece, she would likely say “Yeah, and? Tell you what, buy some of my hand-knitted Tingler toys and we’ll call it good.” (Yes, she was lightly flogging some toy/thing based on the Tingler creature she’d made, although I don’t remember if it is knitted or grown). ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/14 "2024-02-11T11:00:10Z")
My thanks to the both of you. Letter sent. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/15 "2024-02-11T11:35:54Z")
Do let us know if he contacts you. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/16 "2024-02-11T11:43:18Z")
If _he_ contacts me, I’ll be sure to let the whole damn world know! ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/17 "2024-02-11T16:28:28Z")
Just a note about legalities. Although it’s nice to be polite, I don’t think there is any legal or even moral necessity to obtain permission to honor a dead celebrity. However, as for use of an image, legally speaking, only the copyright holder can grant permission to make copies of a photograph, painting, or other image. If Price’s daughter has an image whose copyright she owns, she can give you permission to use it. But if you want to use an image from a film, or some random publicity photo, her permission means nothing. Practically speaking, there’s a good chance that if you don’t go overboard, you could reproduce a copyrighted image without permission and get away with it. Using a studio publicity picture might arguably be acceptable, since they were created and distributed specifically to be reproduced, and you could argue that you are promoting the Vincent Price film in question. But if you want to be completely above board, you’ll need permission from the copyright holder. So the safest course would be to go to an agency like [Getty Images](https://www.gettyimages.com/), and pay the fee to use one [their pictures](https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?family=creative&phrase=Vincent%20price). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/18 "2024-02-11T17:02:58Z")
From [this webpage](https://rightofpublicityroadmap.com/state_page/california/), “California provides a civil claim for the unauthorized use of another’s ‘name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness’ on products or merchandise, or for the purposes of advertising or promotion.” I think what the OP is proposing could be considered advertising or promotion, so they should seek permission. The daughter is a good place to start; either she can grant permission or she can direct the OP to whatever agency is authorized to do so. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/19 "2024-02-11T17:23:51Z")
I disagree. The con is simply honoring Price. They are not promoting or advertising a product using his image, as if he were endorsing it, or otherwise attempting to profit from using Price’s name or likeness. ---
**Author:** ![ColdBrew50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9a140/32.png) [@ColdBrew50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColdBrew50)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418/20 "2024-02-12T12:46:03Z")
When IP nerds unite for a common cause on the Reddit-Quora channel. Actually, who gives a shit. Talk to Victoria Price, and call it good. If it is a precious moment photograph or figurine, then the creator of that artifact should be known and credited and compensated. Without question. I’m enjoying the Alpine Boy righteous nerd flameout here. By all means attempt to find out who created the image of Mr. Price. If no response, by all means contact his daughter, who is alive and well. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-vincent-prices-estate/997418.md?page=2)