You should definitely consult with one before mentioning people, places, products, or fictional characters (created by someone else) in your book.
Can you mention someone in a book without their permission?
First, a simple rule. If what you write about a person is positive or even neutral, then you don’t have defamation or privacy issues. For instance, you may thank someone by name in your acknowledgements without their permission. If you are writing a non-fiction book, you may mention real people and real events.
Can you mention a famous person in a book?
Newspapers, television shows and people who publicly mention celebrity names do so with caution, and as a fiction writer you should, too. But it’s fiction! Isn’t it okay to use the names of public figures in fiction, since you’re only trying to tell a story? No, sometimes it’s not.
Can you reference people in a book?
As long as you’re just making references that don’t portray them in a negative light , you’re fine for brands and celebrities. Things like Jaguar or Rice Krispies don’t really date a work, either. Fictional characters, however, are copyrighted for a long time. So no using Luke skywalker as a character.
It’s perfectly okay to quote an excerpt of another author’s work in your writing, but it’s not always okay to do so without permission. If you don’t want to be sued for copyright infringement, it’s important to know when you need permission and when you don’t. And that’s not always obvious.
Can you mention Facebook in a book?
Can I mention Facebook in my book? Writers frequently ask whether they can mention brand name products and services in their fiction. The answer is “yes ,” provided that you take some common sense precautions.
Can I mention Disney characters in my book?
Disney holds intellectual property rights in its characters that allow the company to prevent many uses of character names and images. ... However, it’s still possible to use Disney characters’ images or names if you obtain a license or use the character in a legal manner.
How much can you quote from a book without permission?
What is the amount and substantiality of the material used? The American Psychological Association allows authors to cite 400 words in single- text extracts, or 800 words in a series of text extracts , without permission (American Psychological Association, 2010).
How do you self publish a novel?
- Write the book. ...
- Edit the manuscript. ...
- Design the cover and format the interior. ...
- Self-publish as an ebook and a print book. ...
- Master the Kindle store (and other retailers) ...
- Market your book effectively. ...
- Create an awesome launch plan.
Do you need permission to quote the Bible in a book?
The publisher details will be there and sometimes the copyright restrictions will be listed there as well. ... And just in case it helps, the King James Version of the Bible is in public domain, so that means that there are no copyright restriction and permission is not needed to quote it at all .
Can I mention a college in my book?
Editors are frequently asked whether it’s permissible for writers to mention product or business names in books. The short answer is yes . ... By the nature of doing business, companies put their brands into the public forum and in fact usually appreciate publicity.
Can a book title infringe a trademark?
The law is clear that you cannot trademark individual book titles, but a title for a series of books can be trademarked since it serves the role of a brand.
Can I mention Mickey Mouse in my book?
The particular use of the trademark “Mickey Mouse” that you’ve described is lawful . There are always more facts in play, however, that your own attorney must evaluate before using someone else’s intellectual property.
Can I sell products with Disney characters?
You cannot legally make and sell any product with Disney lyrics , quotes, or characters on it without permission from The Walt Disney World Company. ... Unfortunately for small sellers, Disney has far more resources to legally pursue you and you will not win the battle.
Can I draw Disney characters and sell them?
No you cannot paint, offer for sale, sell, or otherwise tinker with a Disney character, at least it is illegal without an express license from the Walt Disney company.
Is it legal to summarize a book?
Are book summaries legal? It is perfectly legal . It is possible to have copyright in words, images, etc., but not in ideas, plots, characters, storylines, etc.
