Asked by: Ashley Black

So you can use it! Any Trademark that is LIVE you shouldn’t use; the words belong to somebody else, and the somebody else can sue you. Typically only unusual combinations of words as titles can be trademarked, but it doesn’t hurt to check.

Can I use brand name in title of 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.

Is it legal to reference a TV show in a book?

The short answer to your question, paraphrasing from this article, is that you can use names of brands in works of fiction without a problem as long as you’re not writing disparagingly about those brands. This would include names of shows and the like.

Can books and movies have same title?

It’s not uncommon for a writer to discuss two or more works with the same title. For example, a writer may compare different editions or translations of the same work or discuss a written work and its film adaptation with the same title.

How do I check if a book name is taken?

If you want to see if a title has been trademarked, you can use TESS, the online search at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

How do you write the name of a TV show in a book?

Italics are used for large works, names of vehicles, and movie and television show titles. Quotation marks are reserved for sections of works, like the titles of chapters, magazine articles, poems, and short stories. Let’s look at these rules in detail, so you’ll know how to do this in the future when writing.

Can I use a celebrity’s name in a book?

The good news is that celebrity names are not copyright protected, just used as a name. If the name is only used to describe the person, it is not covered.

Can someone sue you for using their name in a book?

Misappropriation of the Right of Publicity

Using someone’s likeness, name, or identifying information for advertising, promotional, or commercial purposes may get you sued. Whether the person is a private individual or public figure, you would be liable for damages, including punitive damages.

Can you use band names in books?

I don’t think there’s a problem unless you’re writing something slanderous or libellous against them. It’s ok if one of your characters says he doesn’t like them. But don’t go into song lyrics, because those are copyrighted.