Writing Book About Popular Franchise -- Can Creators Sue Me?

[overtherainbow]

Hi there,

I am currently outlining a book on a famous children's franchise owned by Saban Brands. While I've seen many books written in commentary on popular franchises, I have a feeling I could not claim fair-use since I would like to publish it. I've reached out to Saban once and received no reply so I will keep trying, but could they could sue or send a cease-and-desist letter to stop the publication of the book? I'd rather not write a whole book for it to be shut down in the late stages and I have a feeling they very well could, but looking for clarification.

Thank you,
OTR

 

[BigMouthWino]

Hi there,

I am currently outlining a book on a famous children's franchise owned by Saban Brands. While I've seen many books written in commentary on popular franchises, I have a feeling I could not claim fair-use since I would like to publish it. I've reached out to Saban once and received no reply so I will keep trying, but could they could sue or send a cease-and-desist letter to stop the publication of the book? I'd rather not write a whole book for it to be shut down in the late stages and I have a feeling they very well could, but looking for clarification.

Thank you,
OTR

I don't know what makes you think this would ever be published anyway. If you can find a book publisher or a literary agent willing to take you on based upon your writing history and the subject matter of the book they will have at their disposal the legal experts necessary to decide whether or not you can write about the franchise.

Two things you will NOT be able to write about:

1) Anything that is not true.
2) Any trade secrets or a copy of their entire "franchisee manual" which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to new franchisees and is heavily protected.