Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    Eileen G's Avatar
    Eileen G Posts: 1,571, Reputation: 286
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #1

    Sep 22, 2009, 10:43 AM
    Using real people in fiction
    What is the position if you want to use real people as bit players in a novel? For instance, if I have one of my characters meet President Obama, or go on the Oprah show, or get interviewed by Jeremy Paxman?

    I assume they can watch specific televison programmes without a problem, but can I name real people?
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
    		  
    #2

    Sep 22, 2009, 10:45 AM
    If the person is living you should get their permission. Public figures like the president may be considered in the public domain, but entertainment figures are not. But its better to be on the safe side. If you get a publisher for your novel, then will clear things or get you to do a rewrite.

    If the person is deceased, it would depend on whether their heirs maintain a copyright. For example, I wouldn't try using Michael Jackson without clearing it with the family.
    Eileen G's Avatar
    Eileen G Posts: 1,571, Reputation: 286
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #3

    Sep 22, 2009, 11:04 AM

    Ok, thanks. Though I can't imagine how Oprah is not in the public domaine. She's more famous than most royalty.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
    		  
    #4

    Sep 22, 2009, 02:08 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Eileen G View Post
    Ok, thanks. Though I can't imagine how Oprah is not in the public domaine. She's more famous than most royalty.
    Its not a matter of fame, it's a matter of copyright control. I am sure that Oprah has trademarked or copyrighted her name so that any non-news reference to her would have to be by permission.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Dreaming of people I've never met places I've never been that are real [ 5 Answers ]

I have been having these dreams of going to these places seeing people I've never seen before going to houses I've never been. Each time the dream gets more and more vivid and when I dream about it it just continues where I left off the night before. When I tell my family I find out those places...

Shadow people-real or hallucination? [ 3 Answers ]

Okay, so I'm home alone and had the great idea of watching A Haunting episodes on this dim, autumn day. Watching the show reminded me of my own encounter with shadow people when I was 14-15. So when I was 14 I developed seasonal allergies out of nowhere and started taking benadryl. I was...

View more questions Search