Who owns the Hollywood Sign?
The Hollywood Sign and the land beneath it are owned by the City of Los Angeles. The sign sits within Griffith Park, which is municipal parkland.
Who maintains the Hollywood Sign?
The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks manages Griffith Park and oversees operations related to the Hollywood Sign.
Does anyone own the letters of the Hollywood Sign?
No individual owns any letters. Donors sponsored letters during the 1978 reconstruction, but the letters themselves belong to the City of Los Angeles.
Is the Hollywood Sign copyrighted?
The Hollywood Sign is a physical landmark. Copyright law generally protects creative works rather than landmarks visible in the landscape.
Is the Hollywood Sign trademarked?
Trademark registrations may exist for stylized uses of the word Hollywood used in commerce, but the hillside landmark itself is not a trademark logo.
Can filmmakers show the Hollywood Sign in movies?
The Hollywood Sign frequently appears in films and television when depicting Los Angeles. Permits may be required depending on where filming occurs, but those permits relate to production logistics rather than ownership of the landmark.
Do filmmakers have to pay to show the Hollywood Sign?
In most situations filmmakers do not pay simply to show the sign when it appears naturally in the landscape.
Can you photograph the Hollywood Sign?
Yes. The sign is visible across much of Los Angeles and is frequently photographed as part of the city's landscape.
Can you sell merchandise with the Hollywood Sign?
Trademark law may apply when words or graphics are used as branding for goods. This is different from depicting the Hollywood Sign as a landmark.
What is the Hollywood Sign Trust?
The Hollywood Sign Trust is a nonprofit organization that supports fundraising and preservation efforts related to the landmark but does not own the sign.