You can make reference to anyone in your book if that reference is pertinent to your story. However, you cannot plagiarize any of their work. Unless of course you have their permission.

Can you mention a famous person in a book?

Identifiable, living person

This is permissible as long as you say upfront that names, dates, and identifying information have been changed to protect privacy. Like defamation, the right to privacy dies with the person.

Can I mention fictional characters 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.

Can I mention movie titles in my book?

Do I need permission to mention song or movie titles? No. Permission is not needed to talk about any type of titles, movie titles, TV show titles, book titles, art work, anything at all. You can also use the names of places, things, events, and people in your work without asking permission.

Is it legal to write a Star Wars book?

No, you cannot make money writing Star Wars books, unless you have been allowed by the copyright owner to do so. Star Wars and its characters, spaceships, and so on are either copyrighted or trademarked, and making money using those copyrighted stories or trademarked items is a breach of the law.

when you have the wrong voice for darth vader…

Is it illegal to be a Sith in Star Wars?

In the very beginning it was outlawed. But much later (but before the clone wars) it was nullified and being a Sith wasn't a crime in the eyes of the Republic, the Sith were protected under religious freedom law. However, the Jedi would take action if Sith were discovered.

Can I draw a Star Wars character and sell it?

Can I draw Star Wars art and sell it? Not legally without permission. However, you can draw people who look like Star wars as long as you don't reference any of their property.

How much can I quote without violating copyright?

There is no legal rule stipulating what quantity is OK to use without seeking permission from the owner or creator of the material. Major legal battles have been fought over this question, but there is still no black-and-white rule.

Can you sue someone for writing a book about you?

Laws vary from state to state, but in most cases, any individual, business, not-for-profit, small group, or corporation can sue for defamation.

Can you reference Disney characters in a book?

In order to use the characters legally, you must request permission from Disney Enterprises.

Is it OK to fantasize about fictional characters?

Most people outgrow this by their late 20s. It's fine to fantasize about your TV (or movie or book) hero. You need be concerned only if the feeling is so intense or obsessive that it interferes with your normal life and prevents you from being able to love someone real.

Can you reference Superman in a book?

Referencing a specific superhero character or phrase in a book can potentially be a copyright issue if it is done without permission from the copyright holder.

Do I need permission to mention someone in my book?

Using someone's name, image or life story as part of a novel, book, movie or other “expressive” work is protected by the First Amendment, even if the expressive work is sold or displayed. Therefore using a person's life story as part of a book or movie will not be deemed a misappropriation of the Right of Publicity.

Can you quote someone in a book without their permission?

You must request permission from the copyright holder. Check the copyright page of the source from which you are quoting. If the publisher holds the copyright, write to their Rights/Permissions Department. If they cannot give you permission to reprint, they will tell you who holds the rights and where to contact them.

Is it legal to quote someone in a book?

As a common practice, all quotes are copyright to the author, which means that legally you should get permission from the author you hope to borrow from. This can sometimes be very difficult if the author is deceased or a public figure.

Has anyone gone to jail for copyright infringement?

A 26-year-old California man who pleaded guilty last December to criminal copyright infringement charges was sentenced today to 87 months in federal prison -- the longest U.S. sentence ever for software piracy -- for his role in illegally copying and selling pirated software (download PDF).

How much does it cost to copyright your own book?

You automatically own the copyright to your book for free the moment you write down the text. If you want the added legal benefits of registering your copyright, you must pay at least a $45 fee with the US Copyright Office to go through the process.

Can you go to jail for violating copyright law?

§ 506(a) by the unauthorized reproduction or distribution, during any 180-day period, of at least 10 copies or phonorecords, or 1 or more copyrighted works, with a retail value of more than $2,500 can be imprisoned for up to 5 years and fined up to $250,000, or both.

What sayings are not copyrighted?

Titles, names, short phrases, and slogans are not protected by copyright law. Similarly, it is clear that copyright law does not protect simple product lettering or coloring, or the mere listing of product ingredients or contents.

What is not protected by copyright?

How do I protect my idea? Copyright does not protect ideas, concepts, systems, or methods of doing something. You may express your ideas in writing or drawings and claim copyright in your description, but be aware that copyright will not protect the idea itself as revealed in your written or artistic work.

What is one penalty for copyright infringement?

In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or "statutory" damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For "willful" infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed.

What Star Wars characters are copyrighted?

Lucasfilm owns federally-registered trademarks and copyrights in several characters from the Star Wars films, including the “Stormtrooper,” “Darth Vader,” “Darth Maul,” “Chewbacca,” “Luke Skywalker,” “Princess Leia,” “Han Solo,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Yoda” characters.

Is the word Jedi copyrighted?

JEDI Trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC - Registration Number 3794988 - Serial Number 78488803 :: Justia Trademarks.

How can people sell Star Wars stuff on Etsy?