Using Brand Names In Stories

[Jason Rimbaud]

I think I already know the answer to this, but is there an issue with using real world business, such as Pizza Hut or McDonalds in our writing? Or should we just make up our own restaurants, business, hook up apps?  Thanks 

 

J

[Thirdly]

1 hour ago, Jason Rimbaud said:

I think I already know the answer to this, but is there an issue with using real world business, such as Pizza Hut or McDonalds in our writing? Or should we just make up our own restaurants, business, hook up apps?  Thanks 

 

J

Meh, that's where the good old Pizza Hutch and WacDonalds comes in. 

[Jason Rimbaud]

Now come up with a good one for. Grindr and I'll cook you that dinner I owe you.  

[Thirdly]

6 minutes ago, Jason Rimbaud said:

Now come up with a good one for. Grindr and I'll cook you that dinner I owe you.  

OMG I did! What did I call it? 🤔 Smashr?

[Jason Rimbaud]

7 minutes ago, Thirdly said:

OMG I did! What did I call it? 🤔 Smashr?

Im gonna steal it!!!!   

Just googled it, it's already taken.  Balls 

J

Edited December 10, 2024 by Jason Rimbaud

[Thirdly]

Just now, Jason Rimbaud said:

Im gonna steal it!!!!   

J

It's all yours. 🤣

[Thirdly]

1 minute ago, Jason Rimbaud said:

Im gonna steal it!!!!   

Just googled it, it's already taken.  Balls 

J

Blast! Hmm alternatives: GrindX, Gryndr, Bumpr (LMAO)

[Jason Rimbaud]

I like Bumpr!!!!  Thumpr!  Humpr.  

[Jason Rimbaud]

After googling so many different things, I think I've settled on either Whorer or Wolfr.  Any thoughts?

[Thirdly]

2 hours ago, Jason Rimbaud said:

After googling so many different things, I think I've settled on either Whorer or Wolfr.  Any thoughts?

I like Wolfr

[wildone]

I wonder if you take your phone or computer in for repair and they look at your search history  

[lawfulneutralmage]

6 hours ago, Jason Rimbaud said:

After googling so many different things, I think I've settled on either Whorer or Wolfr.  Any thoughts?

Well...

If you want people to associate the icon, then Wolfr. That might require thinking.

If you want people to associate what the site is mostly used for, then Whorer. That should be immediately clear.

Joke aside, for a serious story, Wolfr, no question.

Edited December 11, 2024 by lawfulneutralmage

[Cia]

You can use brand names and such with a disclaimer. Most people don't worry too much about it with free fiction as you're not profiting off your copyrighted content but those who publish will often list out trademarked names they do not "own" but are part of everyday vernacular such as store, building, or restaurant names. What is frowned upon and VERY much open for litigation is copying more than a few words/short phrases from other works such as songs, books, or movies. That's free or not. 

[ReaderPaul]

6 hours ago, Cia said:

You can use brand names and such with a disclaimer. Most people don't worry too much about it with free fiction as you're not profiting off your copyrighted content but those who publish will often list out trademarked names they do not "own" but are part of everyday vernacular such as store, building, or restaurant names. What is frowned upon and VERY much open for litigation is copying more than a few words/short phrases from other works such as songs, books, or movies. That's free or not. 

A friend wrote a  book and his traditional publisher would not let him quote any song lyrics without written permission from the publisher or copyright holder. 

[Jason Rimbaud]

On 12/11/2024 at 5:45 AM, Cia said:

You can use brand names and such with a disclaimer. Most people don't worry too much about it with free fiction as you're not profiting off your copyrighted content but those who publish will often list out trademarked names they do not "own" but are part of everyday vernacular such as store, building, or restaurant names. What is frowned upon and VERY much open for litigation is copying more than a few words/short phrases from other works such as songs, books, or movies. That's free or not. 

Thank you, I think I'm just going to either allude to copyrighted stores, restaurants instead of calling them out. But I also have decided to just invent the majority of my places, businesses, and what not so I don't have to call anything out because I'm lazy. 

22 hours ago, ReaderPaul said:

A friend wrote a  book and his traditional publisher would not let him quote any song lyrics without written permission from the publisher or copyright holder. 

I think song writers have already gotten the short end of the candle already and I would never quote song lyrics, maybe mention a common phrase but not quoting the song directly. 

On 12/10/2024 at 10:21 PM, lawfulneutralmage said:

Well...

If you want people to associate the icon, then Wolfr. That might require thinking.

If you want people to associate what the site is mostly used for, then Whorer. That should be immediately clear.

Joke aside, for a serious story, Wolfr, no question.

I agree, I am using Wolfr in place of Grindr from now on.  Though Whorer makes me laugh. 

Thank you everyone. 

J

[ReaderPaul]

If you invent a fictional town or business, @Jason Rimbaud or @lawfulneutralmage or @Thirdly or @Cia, I suggest using Google Maps or another geography resource to look up to see if there might be a real town of that name in that state, province, or other geographical designation.  An author acquaintance of mine (who is not on GA) invented a fictional town, named it, and -- lo and behold -- there was a -- real -- very small town of the same name at almost the exact physical spot specified!  He now checks to make sure something of the same name is NOT near where he invents fictional places.

[Jason Rimbaud]

6 minutes ago, ReaderPaul said:

If you invent a fictional town or business, @Jason Rimbaud or @lawfulneutralmage or @Thirdly or @Cia, I suggest using Google Maps or another geography resource to look up to see if there might be a real town of that name in that state, province, or other geographical designation.  An author acquaintance of mine (who is not on GA) invented a fictional town, named it, and -- lo and behold -- there was a -- real -- very small town of the same name at almost the exact physical spot specified!  He now checks to make sure something of the same name is NOT near where he invents fictional places.

I actually did google search to make sure my town wasn't a real one town, though it is a place. That being said, I based my town on several small towns I lived in during my younger days. I have pulled geological features from each and invented others, so I think I'm safe on that one. Though it doesn't really matter, all the stories are based an actual events that happened to me and my friends over the last thirty years. Anyway, I never mention what state the story takes place, but I think smart readers will figure it out based on geography and climate along with certain other details. 

J 

[Jason Rimbaud]

On 12/10/2024 at 8:22 PM, wildone said:

I wonder if you take your phone or computer in for repair and they look at your search history  

My search history would be interesting to explain that's for sure. Take away all the normal stuff, porn, little people porn, and all the stuff I've researched about religion lately, then it can get into really weird things. 

Does anyone know how to look at my search history? I'd like to look and see how messed up it really is?

[ReaderPaul]

23 hours ago, Jason Rimbaud said:

My search history would be interesting to explain that's for sure. Take away all the normal stuff, porn, little people porn, and all the stuff I've researched about religion lately, then it can get into really weird things. 

Does anyone know how to look at my search history? I'd like to look and see how messed up it really is?

On a desktop or laptop computer it is easy, but it varies greatly, depending on the hardware, settings, and the browser being used.  On a phone, I don't know at all.

[Jason Rimbaud]

19 minutes ago, ReaderPaul said:

On a desktop or laptop computer it is easy, but it varies greatly, depending on the hardware, settings, and the browser being used.  On a phone, I don't know at all.

**Be prepared for a rant with the sole intent at humor**

Is this knowledge something that has to be kept secret? You say it's easy, but you don't explain to me how to do it? Why do I now have to beg for this magical knowledge? Please oh great ReaderPaul, bestow your grand wisdom on one so lowly as your humble servant.

 

**I self censored myself as I wasn't sure ReaderPaul was aware how big of an idiot I can be**

[Thirdly]

28 minutes ago, Jason Rimbaud said:

**Be prepared for a rant with the sole intent at humor**

Is this knowledge something that has to be kept secret? You say it's easy, but you don't explain to me how to do it? Why do I now have to beg for this magical knowledge? Please oh great ReaderPaul, bestow your grand wisdom on one so lowly as your humble servant.

 

**I self censored myself as I wasn't sure ReaderPaul was aware how big of an idiot I can be**

The history on web browsers, even the app ones on phones, can be found on browser settings, especially if you're signed in with an account. For example, when I search, I'm signed into my google account already, so after searching for something random, I just click on the upper right icon of my account and "Search history" is listed right there. Mine where "Kalos Pokemon Badges" as I forgot which version of pins I had, "Babycakes" as I was looking for that one song by 3ofakind, and "What Happens to Danzo in Naruto" as I hoped he met his justifiable end, and, apparently, he does. On iPhones, it would be hunting down those elusive ellipses "..." and hunting for your search history there. 

Edited December 13, 2024 by Thirdly

[ReaderPaul]

@Jason Rimbaud, @Thirdly has described things well.  Another way on a desktop or laptop, in addition to clicking on the Google or the Bing search bar, is to look at the cookie files.  Most people do not regularly clear their cookies so the cookie file can tall you what they attempted to access.

As for how big an idiot you can be, Jason -- most persons I know have the ability, at times, to act or appear as a big idiot.  I have learned it is rarely worth stressing about.  I have been an idiot more times than I am willing to point out.

Edited December 14, 2024 by ReaderPaul

[Ron]

Hasn't anyone heard of disclaimers? I quote the standard version from A.I.:

• "This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, businesses, places, events, and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner". 

Edited December 14, 2024 by Ron

[ReaderPaul]

23 minutes ago, Ron said:

Hasn't anyone heard of disclaimers? I quote the standard version from A.I.:

• "This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, businesses, places, events, and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner". 

When it comes to song lyrics, that rarely works, if the publisher decided to make someone an example.  That is the problem with quoting lyrics.

[Ron]

2 hours ago, ReaderPaul said:

When it comes to song lyrics, that rarely works, if the publisher decided to make someone an example.

Yes. Although the example I gave doesn't include music in the disclaimer. So, I'm not sure why you bring it up?