I have read your article, and I find it very appealing and helpful. I know you may not be a lawyer, but here is my problem. Can I use Facebook in the title of my book? The book deals with Facebook monetization. Can you give me some advice on this? James, if you are writing a guide telling people how to use Facebook or any other product , then yes you can use the name.
Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.
Learn how your comment data is processed. The long answer is be careful. Like this: Like Loading Prev Post Why the traditional publishing model is broken. Next Post What having a publisher gets you. Simplify dialogue tags. What the Rowling Experiment tells us about author platform.
Before editing, develop a plan. How Novelists Can Blog. Kristen Stieffel says: October 27, at PM. Natalie B says: November 4, at AM. Kristen Stieffel says: November 4, at PM. Kyle meidlinger says: March 25, at PM. Kristen Stieffel says: March 25, at PM. Lola C says: May 27, at AM. Kristen Stieffel says: June 9, at PM. Gillian says: April 8, at PM. Kristen Stieffel says: April 8, at PM.
Marissa says: November 17, at PM. Kristen Stieffel says: November 18, at AM. Oh, yes, all of these are totally fine. Cris T. Kristen Stieffel says: November 27, at AM. Jodie Hall says: January 25, at AM.
Kristen Stieffel says: January 25, at PM. Sierra says: May 26, at AM. Kristen Stieffel says: May 26, at PM. Linda says: November 26, at PM. Thank you! Kristen Stieffel says: November 26, at PM. Yes, all of those references are allowed.
Linda says: November 30, at AM. Kristen Stieffel says: November 30, at PM. Ask any time! Kristen Stieffel says: March 16, at PM. Marion Day says: May 3, at PM. Kristen Stieffel says: May 3, at PM. Thank-you so much.
What about Swoogle as a made-up name. It would fit my story. I'm working on a nonfiction book about writing and it's got pictures of writing tools like typewriters and laptops. Am I allowed to include photos that contain brand names in my book? What about highly identifiable products? For example, can I include photos of laptops and cameras with the brand name showing? Can I include photos of ipods and iphones?
Thanks for this very helpful blog. I am sure that all writers who read it appreciate it as much as I do! What about a song title? Not the lyrics, but mentioning a song title as someone's ringtone?
Quick question: would I be able to mention the name of a famous book series such as Harry Potter in my book? Because I want my character to have a set of books but I don't feel like being sued.
Within the manuscript never is the word Kodak used in a disparaging manner. Does anyone know any published precedents where a brand name is used in the title? Can I freely use these? Your novel sounds cool. Hi, thank you for the helpful information. May I ask.. I've talked to someone about this before, actually.
This might be wrong, so it would be best to get a second opinion, but from what I know you don't need to give copyright, but I would be careful if you are in any way shaming the name or company.
Hope this helps! What about when you create a fictional company for your novel, which is run by an idiot billionaire. You'd never think someone would call their company such a ridiculous name, but then right before self-publishing you accidentally find out that a small company with such name exists in US?
I'm in Australia, about to publish on Kindle, and my novel is set in US. Thank you in advance for your help! Just wondering about using company names like facebook, twitter and eBay in a children's poem. Is this allowed? Where do I sign up? This is exactly the type of knowledgeable, free legal advice I've been seeking. There is precious little of it for writers. It's a litigious jungle out there. Can you use names of Companies that still do or may not trade any longer?
Thank you so much for having this blog! You absolutely answered my questions :. I'm writing a book on advertising copywriting and I'd like to include real ads that use the Unique Selling Proposition.
It will be done in a flattering way. Do I need to contact the Ad agencies that produced the ads or the manufactures.
I Know I could use fictitious brand names but I'd rather use the real thing. I recently read Full Ratchet[1], and found it amusing how the author invented a whole new person that is never seen, but yet clearly depicts a Real Person in our society involved with money and business. A clear act of prudence to avoid defamation. I have written a novel where the characters use Facebook and YouTube, a child wears Spiderman clothing and watches several different named TV shows, a man drives a certain make and model of vehicle rather than always saying 'his SUV', and mentions of Disney movies and popular theatrical plays are in the book as well.
Are any of these concerns? I have already edited some real-life restaurant, food and store brand names out and replaced them with made-up names. What if you want to use a brand name for a something other than a company or a foundation in your novel? Maybe for distinguishing a new kind of alien species with a cool name that a brand took it before you?
I want this use a well know cooking brand n my story and the name brand is also a part of my title. I have not tarnished the name in any way, in fact the book falls into the romantic comedy genre.
What do you suggest I do, contact the company to see if I can do this? Oh my gosh Thank You! I was having trouble with things in my production company with referencing something in one of our animated features. I'm writing a book and want to use a mobile phone store; but in prior have gone to a pay as you go place and would like to use more of a "Verizon or ATT" Such as "Can we stop at Verizon on the way home?
What if in a story, I mention that my character went to a real life college? There are like a bajillion books with people who graduated MIT My understanding is that if you're going to use a product brand name, use it in "context". For example, "Can we stop by the Verizon Wireless Store on the home? Verizon business office? Verizon cell phone store? I would make a "thing" out of it: Jerry said, "Is that a Band-Aid brand bandage you're putting on my knee?
They're waterproof and provide air to the wound. Can you guarantee your generic brand does that? Shut up and hold still. You pressed to hard on purpose, didn't you? I was planning on writting my novel based at a private school in New York.
However, I'm not sure if I'm allowed to use a real life private school. Or if I should just make up my own school? I would make up my own. I am writing a novel, and my school in it is based in Oswego, IL.
I say this because you do not want to draw any attention to schools, especially with all the psychos who have been going around shooting up schools. We don't want to make any certain school a target by enfaming it. Thank you for this informative article. Is it okay to have a character playing a song on his guitar, for example? It really helps. I have a similar question to the one above. I want to mention the kind of music I was listening to when I wrote the book or find fitting for that scene.
Is that a problem? Do I have to write to every music company and ask for their permission for putting their song as a footnote in? Great article. Thank you for the explanations. I'm amazed if any companies really have opposed the usage of their brands as verbs like Hoovering, Xeroxing, Googling synecdoches? Surely this would be way worse publicity than whatever the original usage was within reason obviously!
The pointed avoidance of using brand names or instances where they've used fictional alternatives can be painfully jarring when reading fiction. Unless it's used for comic effect that is. This is a great article. But I have one unanswered question. Do these rules change when you convert the written word into a filmed format and put it on TV? And what about referencing A famous rock band and their song title when used as a historical fact. If it is part of well known rock history, does that become public domain to talk about?
Hi, great article! I mention the Cubs and specific players and events. I want to include the Cubs name in the subtitle of the book and include illustrations that depict the Cubs logo by itself and on jerseys. Is this allowed without permission? This is really helpful, but I wonder what limitations there are on referencing a "brand" that is another creative property. I want to use 2 guitar model names, more specifically the Fender Jazzmaster and a Fender Jazz Bass in my book.
The two characters own the guitars and don't speak bad of it. I guess this same issue is comperable to car models. Is that still fair use? I plan to write a comedy set in a post apocalyptic world, and would like to include a moment where the main character discovers the ruins of an old gaming shop. Within this shop is a small cult who worship Mario, using the games as their "sacred text. What about writing a book fiction about cyber bullying. But when saying that someone used facebook to cyber bully someone else- that definitely can be construed as a negative use of the brand.
And just saying generic "social media" would get vague and repetitive. Try adding a suffix like -ly, -ist, or -ify, to a common company word, and see what happens! Memoirist sometimes worry about being sued for libel or slander or defamation. It can be an excellent way to earn some extra money.
It can also be an excellent way to improve your writing skills and to meet other writers and editors. Before you decide if writing on Medium is worth it for you, you need to have a plan for how you will use the platform. There is no proper way to get a free Medium Membership unless someone decides to gift you a Medium subscription. For instance, if a Medium subscriber spends five percent of their monthly reading time on your story, you get paid five percent of their subscription fee.
Almost everyone will agree that Medium is a great place to share your story. Almost anyone can produce a great looking story within minutes. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel.
Your Home Page. Your Photos and Videos. Videos on Watch. Fundraisers and Donations. Facebook Mobile Apps. Managing Your Account. Privacy, Safety and Security. Policies and Reporting. Change platform:.
0コメント