Real Companies/Products vs Fakes - Writers Forum

sdavis2k · 09-22-2007, 05:53 PM

Normally I makeup restaurant names, movie titles, even businesses in my stories but is it alright to include real company names/products without being hassled ?

I wouldn't mind saying my protag turned the volume up on his mp3 player to drown out the noise of his parents fighting, but would some copyright lawyer Nazi come after me if I used the term iPod ? He is also taking a train ride soon could I use Amtrak instead of making up a fake railroad company name like TrackExpress ?

wmd · 09-22-2007, 06:50 PM

I think I have seen this same question about four times over the last week or two.

It is alright to use tradenames but do not defame or slander them. I also would not over use them cause your readers will start thinking you are getting paid to do it.

mammamaia · 09-22-2007, 08:08 PM

it's done all the time... if your publisher has a problem with it, you'll hear about it...

Joe Moore · 09-23-2007, 06:57 AM

Product names fall under the protection of trademarks, not copyrights. It was not all that long ago that manufacturers paid bestselling authors for product placement in books. But it became so obvious what was going on that the practice was eventually dropped. You still see it often in movies and on TV. In motion pictures, product placement revenue helps pay for production costs. But to answer your original question, don't be afraid to use real product names if they do one of two things: advance the plot or develop the character. Good luck.

pervarakapadiaatwforum · 09-23-2007, 11:47 PM

hi product / brand names are very sensitive issue. In some places you need the letter of authority, while in other countries it is ok to use this.

Ofcourse you need not misuse or do any type of character assassination though.

Maybe your publisher / editor could help you

lin · 09-24-2007, 04:14 AM

Carl Hiaasen slags Disney all the time. What all this stuff boils down to is what your publisher is willing to run. If they are worried about something, they'll tell you.

Talia_Brie · 09-25-2007, 09:38 AM

It's not only acceptable, it's actually a good idea. It's called verisimilitude (there's almost no way I've spelt that right).

mammamaia · 09-25-2007, 09:33 PM

but you DID!