Can you mention band names in books?

There’s nothing to prevent you from merely mentioning another band or singer in a literary work. The novel American Psycho includes satirical references to Huey Lewis & the News and Whitney Houston that are meant to show how soulless the title character is.

Can I write a book about a celebrity?

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.

Can you reference copyrighted material in a book?

If you’re seeking permission to quote from a book, look on the copyright page for the rights holder; it’s usually the author. However, assuming the book is currently in print and on sale, normally you contact the publisher for permission. You can also try contacting the author or the author’s literary agent or estate.

Can I use a trademarked name in my book?

Trademark lawyers call this “nominative fair use,” and it does not constitute infringement. For example, trademark owners have fits when writers of fiction or non-fiction use their brand names as generic terms for products or services.

Are actors names copyrighted?

Indeed, not all celebrity names are trademarks. Although the name is associated with a person, that does not make it a trademark, even if that person is famous. The law requires that the person claiming a trademark over her name prove what is called secondary meaning.

Can you use brand names in a novel?

Mentioning a brand name in a work of fiction is generally considered fair use* unless it goes so far as to infringe on the rights of the owner.

Can a band’s name be copyrighted?

None of this pertains to copyright, btw. Probably not trademark either, but depending on the band’s name, it’s possible that it might. It depends.

How are copyrights administered in the music industry?

1. Copyrighted work must be original 2. Violation of Copyright Law must be established in court 3. Master recording copyrights are administered (and, often, owned) by record labels 4. Compositional copyrights are administered by publishers 5. Copyrights last 70 years past the owners lifetime 6.

Does the music industry treat songwriters and recording artists differently?

However, even in that case, the music industry will treat the songwriter and the recording artists as two separate entities. Besides, it’s never that simple — think cover versions, samples, quoted lyrics, external producers, assisting lyricists, and so on. The structure of the music copyright behind the given song can get complicated — and quick.

Who owns the copyright to a song played on the radio?

When you hear a song play on the radio, you might think that there’s only one copyright for that song, owned by the artist whose voice you hear. But, in fact, that is not the case. In fact, in some parts of the world, it might be that the recording artist hasn’t earned a single cent on that radio spin.