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Use brand names in book?

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putitthere

Junior Member
What is the name of your state?NC
Can I use trademarked brand names in a novel without permission, such as, "He grabbed a can of Coke off the shelf"? Are there any particular restrictions that limit how I use the brand name?
 


divgradcurl

Senior Member
putitthere said:
What is the name of your state?NC
Can I use trademarked brand names in a novel without permission, such as, "He grabbed a can of Coke off the shelf"? Are there any particular restrictions that limit how I use the brand name?
If you are using the trademark to descride the product, like "he grabbed a can of Coke," that's okay. Any use of a trademark that implies that the mark owner endorses or is otrherwise involved in your book is not okay, without permission.
 

I AM ALWAYS LIABLE

Senior Member
divgradcurl said:
If you are using the trademark to descride the product, like "he grabbed a can of Coke," that's okay. Any use of a trademark that implies that the mark owner endorses or is otrherwise involved in your book is not okay, without permission.

My response:

To be safe, would it detract from the storyline if you merely referred to the product as "cola"?

IAAL
 

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