Is it ok to talk about certain brands in my comic or is that considered copyright infringement?

[PixyByte]

The current comic I'm working on is making a joke around the Nintendo GameBoy Colors and I didn't know if I could mention them or not. I never seen people call out actual products or names of things in their comics, so I don't know if that's just them or that's against something. I don't want to do anything illegal. I'm sorry if this is a stupid question lol

[Kayke]

People mention brand names in comics all the time. Especially video game brand names. It's not an issue unless you plan on making a ton of money selling the specific comic that's using the brand name or you're claiming to be associated with them.

[Sanz]

no its not stupid at all, some Brands don't mind, as long as you aren't making money off using their name I know Nintendo had some beef with youtubers while playing the game and recording it. but most companies see that as free publicity.

[joannekwan]

Nope, shouldn't be an issue since you're just mentioning them in passing.

[PixyByte]

@Kaykedrawsthings Thanks I just plan on making jokes, not selling that comic. But what if on down the road (way down the road) I decided to make a comic collection book and sell that? Would that just be something I'd have to address then and leave it out of the book? I'm asking just out of curiosity, the trademarking and copyrighting laws are so confusing sometimes. lol

@christinaeliz Yeah I remember the youtuber issues, but with that I can see why they'd have an issue because they were recording their actual product. Name-dropping and art probably wouldn't stir anything up, I just wanted to make sure. Thank you!

[VermillionWorks]

I guess if you have any doubts at all, you could change the name slightly, like...."Nentaro GamePal Colors". XD ....but if your comic is based around slice of life jokes...I dunno, might lose it's "real life" impact if you change it....

As everyone else said, I doubt it's something you really need to worry about.

[Kayke]

If it comes to publishing and you're really worried, you could take it out of the print version. But comics like VG Cats and C.A.D. make a lot of references to video game brands and characters in their comics that they include in the print versions. But those are protected as parodies. I think if you're making just a joke you'll be fine.

Like @VermillionWorks said, if you're nervous you could change it. I know that's what I do for my comic... but my comic is also not based in a real place, so them having name brand stuff from our world doesn't make sense.

I would say just say the real name and don't worry about it! Nintendo isn't going to hunt you down!

[PixyByte]

Yeah I was thinking about tweaking the name, but was afraid people wouldn't know what I was referring to. I'll just do my comic and if I get contacted by anyone I'll work it out with them but I won't worry about it for now. I was just making sure I wasn't going to be stepping on anybody's rights thank you so much for helping me out. I was pretty nervous about it lol

[Kayke]

No problem! Glad I could help out!

[avalonmao]

I'M CHANGINg MCDONALD'S INTO MCCOMMUNISM

[Zanreo]

Well, I make a comic that's literally about real life game companies, mentioned by their actual names, if I can get away with what I do you'll be fine
At least as long as you don't get paid for it, and even if you did... eh, I can't really see them getting on your ass about a namedrop or two

[Doubtcent]

Almost every comic is considered transformative or parody, so you should be fine mentioning anything. As long as you're not outright hating or offending.

[efdvorsky]

People make money off fan-comics/prints of pretty much anything and the excuse is you're selling and claiming ownership for the art, not the characters. It's iffy legal practice but it's there.

As many people have said, you're referencing, but not claiming owndership of the products, you're fine.

I'M CHANGINg MCDONALD'S INTO MCCOMMUNISM

Not McCapitalism?

[Wolven_Sister]

For my comics I usually do a funny spinoff of the brand name. i.e. Pansonic I changed to "Tanosonic" so people know what the brand is but I won't get in any legal trouble since it's a variation of the name.

As for movies, games, and books you should be fine. Like if any of your characters talk about them and bring up their titles. This is something studio's don't go after since so many other comics and books and TV series do it, it would just be a losing battle. It's much akin to referencing a celebrity name and the celebrity going after you because you mentioned them in your story, it wouldn't be practical and it wouldn't be worth it in the end.

[avalonmao]

i HaVE MY FREASONs! :/

[PixyByte]

Thanks for all your help guys
I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to step on anybody's rights. Trademarks and Copyrights confuse me at times.

[UzukiCheverie]

What you should be more worried about is the placing of said brand names in your story. If you have like, a Coca-Cola vending machine reference or something, cool. But if you're forcing the brand names into dialogue or just putting it where it doesn't make sense, it can make your story/comic come across as cheap and unnecessary. Plus, depending on the brand, it could potentially age your comic horribly down the road (but most big brand names have been around for decades and they're probably not gonna go down any time soon, at least not within the lifespan of a comic...)

But as long as you don't dump brands all over your comic (unless it's a comic that jokes about brand names or something) and practice what people have said above (if you're not making millions off your comic or the brand names mentioned in the comic, company's not gonna bat an eye) you'll be fine