Can you mention real people in your novel?

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 I reference a movie in my book?

No permission is needed to mention song titles, movie titles, names, etc. You do not need permission to include song titles, movie titles, TV show titles—any kind of title—in your work. You can also include the names of places, things, events, and people in your work without asking permission. These are facts.

When writing a book can I use real names?

You can use the real names of those who have given you written permission to do so. But when getting written permission isn’t something you can or want to do, it might be easier to change the names of the characters in your memoir. That’s it.

Is real person fanfiction legal?

Real People Fiction, or RPF is fanfiction featuring real people, usually celebrities. This is generally considered a bit more taboo than fanfiction, and even FanFiction.net has banned it from its site, although you can find it on other fanfiction sites like Archive of Our Own.

Can you get sued for writing fiction?

Even if the work contains a disclaimer stating that it’s fictional, a libel claim can still arise. However, plaintiffs must clear certain hurdles. In order to state an actionable claim for defamation, a plaintiff must show: publication, defamatory meaning, false statement, identification and damages.

Can I mention Instagram 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 I reference another book in my book?

In general, yes, you can actually use real names in passing. Names of movies, writers, songs, books, celebrities, etc. What you cannot do is use actual copyrighted material: an excerpt from a book, lyrics from a song, dialog from a movie. But names do not enjoy copyright protection.

Is it legal to reference other works in your writing?

When referencing other works, the law is actually on your side. Click To Tweet Satire is a different beast, as it isn’t so reliant on the original copyrighted text to make its point, which may itself not even be about the copyrighted text.

Why are references to real-world media important in fiction?

After all, references to real-world media tell the reader that your fiction takes place in a recognizable world, which in turn lets them know what to expect, what’s possible, and what should be impossible. In a sci-fi, for example, references to the real world can make the eventual departure from that world more shocking.

Is it legal to make references to brands and celebrities?

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.

Is it legal to use real names in writing?

In general, yes, you can actually use real names in passing. Names of movies, writers, songs, books, celebrities, etc. What you cannot do is use actual copyrighted material: an ex… When you are writing a book, during the actual writing process itself, yes all of these are allowed.