Purpose of this page
This site provides a neutral, source-based explanation of trademark and wordmark issues commonly associated with the Hollywood Sign. Public discussion often conflates the physical landmark, trademark registrations, filming permissions, and licensing practices. This page separates those concepts for clarity.
The Hollywood Sign as a landmark
The Hollywood Sign is a historic landmark located in Griffith Park and owned by the City of Los Angeles. Trademark registrations do not transfer ownership of the Sign and do not convert the physical structure into a trademarked object.
Filming the Hollywood Sign
Filming or photographing the Hollywood Sign does not itself require trademark licensing. Trademark law does not regulate what a camera records. Any trademark considerations arise, if at all, from how images are later used.
Post-filming use and trademark scope
Trademark issues may arise only when images are later used as branding or on certain commercial goods. Depicting a real landmark to establish geographic location or setting is commonly analyzed as descriptive or expressive fair use.
Trademark classes and limitations
Trademark rights depend on specific registrations and their listed classes. Commonly cited “HOLLYWOOD” wordmark registrations relate to limited merchandise categories such as apparel, jewelry, and printed souvenirs. Entertainment, broadcasting, streaming, and recorded media categories are commonly cited as not covered.
Why confusion persists
Creators sometimes comply with trademark demands to avoid cost or uncertainty, even when legal protections for expressive depiction are strong. Compliance behavior can shape public perception, but it does not establish legal obligation.