I appreciate if experienced only answer this question. Copyright issues are not something we should take likely these days. Question: do I need copyright permission to use a dvd cover/ trailer for a movie review in a print publication.

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YES! (Does Yahoo! Answers allow html bold and underline yet?) It's not that hard. Go through the publishing company's PR department and ask permission. I can almost guarantee they'll say, "yes." (And possibly e-mail you good jpgs to use)

generally the movie company will be happy to provide materials to assist in getting a review printed. however, fair use covers using part of the cover art when reviewing that particular movie and is permissable. just as TV critics can use trailers and other excerpts in their reviews without getting special permissions. if there is a problem trust the opinion of your publisher.