Here is a recently-revised clearance guideline freebie, related to the use of actual North American currency onscreen: “Spokespersons for both the U.S. and Canadian government offices that oversee currency reproduction enforcement indicate that there are no legal restrictions on videotaping or filming actual currency (paper or coin) for projection on-screen. If your intent is to make your own currency for use on set, there will be restrictions on how that can be done (please advise if you need further guidance for that scenario).”
First published Spring, 2011
UPDATE:
In our Winter 2025 newsletter, we published an article about the use of currency on screen. It covered both U.S. and Canadian currency. Since then, we learned of an update that the Bank of Canada made to its policy on commercial use of Canadian money. We find no changes for U.S. currency at this time.
We contacted a spokesperson for Bank of Canada to clarify details of the policy and received the following information:
As outlined, advertisers, publishers and other commercial users must obtain the Bank’s written permission to reproduce images of Canadian bank notes – be it physical, digital, or on screen. This includes film and television use. The Bank recognizes that currency is an important symbol of value and that there are plenty of legitimate reasons for wanting to show images of Canadian bank notes. We will usually consent to film and television use, provided:
• There is no risk that the reproduced image(s) could be misused by counterfeiters (still images of entire bank notes, for example), and
• The image does not tarnish the dignity and importance of currency to Canadians.
Reproduction requests can be submitted directly through our online form. We ask for 3 to 5 business to process any request.
Part of the response references the security of cash on set (counterfeiting risk) which we advocated for in our original article. But obtaining permission via the online form is a new development for us, and this will now be our standard advice. Luckily, it doesn’t appear that obtaining permission is difficult or time consuming, so hooray for small mercies.