Are character names copyrighted?
2 Answers. IANAL disclaimer but generally character names themselves cannot be copyrighted. They may be trademarked but only if the literary work/movie/or a related product were named after the character. So, trademark would only come into play for secondary characters in widely merchandised works.
Can you mention a famous person in a book?
Celebrities in Fiction 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 I draw a picture of Mickey Mouse and sell it?
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. Disney does not want credit, they are a for profit business and their business is to license their characters and other things.
Do you need permission to use someone’s name in a song?
Longer answer: There’s nothing CRIMINAL about putting a person’s name in a song title or lyrics. While the legal standard for libel and slander against a ‘public figure’ requires a VERY high standard of evidence, there COULD be liability for use of their name / likeness without permission, or similar.
Can I paint Disney characters and sell them?
You cannot sell your drawings of Disney characters because, by doing so, you would be infringing on The Walt Disney Company’s copyrights and trademarks. These characters are their intellectual property. If you want to sell your Disney artwork, you have to secure a license from them.
Can you paint a logo and sell it?
NO. The use of a company logo without permission from the owner would likely violate both trademark law and copyright law.
Can you name yourself after a fictional character?
Absolutely, if you like the name, if you relate to the character so much, or for any other reason, go for it! There’s no moral reason why you can’t. I technically named myself after a fictional character. I chose the name Lyle simply because I like it, but I found the name in a piece of fiction.
Can two characters have the same name?
For characters, the answer is often yes, but with more exceptions. If you name your character the same as a famous fictional character, readers (and perhaps a judge) might think you’re attempting to cash in on the character name by creating confusion in the reader’s mind.
Can I sell a drawing of a copyrighted character?
You cannot sell derivative artworks made of copyrighted characters, and the only exception is if you have written permission from the copyright holder.
Can you name a character after a celebrity?
Nope. All kinds of people are named after famous people, or just have the same name. Like, use the first name of one famous piano player and the last name of the other. That way readers will catch on, at least subliminally, without it being too distracting (“Why would anyone name their kid Tori Amos?”)
What Harry Potter words are copyrighted?
Everything from the names of the books and movies, to house names, and the term ‘Muggle’ are trademarked.