Re: [HoE] Re: Copyright

[Eric Landes <ericla@accessone.com>]

At 06:46 PM 4/19/99 -0300, Pat   Gamblin wrote:
>>> While we're on the subject, how did PEG pull off that little stunt
>>> with major brand names, like McDonalds and Dr. Pepper, in HOE?  How do
>>> they avoid gettin sued, by those same copyright laws?
>>> Gus "Can't we all just get along" Bus
>>
>>You can't copyright a name, advertising slogan, or catchphrase.  You can
>>trademark them, but that goes through the patents office and is an
>>enitirely different beast.  Usually companies like it when their product
>>is mentioned in places for the free advertising benifits.  As long as you
>>don't slander.  I got this from the US code chapter 17, in case any of you
>>want to check it.  I believe the stuff about names is section 106 or 112.
>
>Hm. Evidently some names can be copywritten. When FRPG started putting out
>the Doomtown card game, they wouldn't use the term Pinkerton, as it was a
>copywritten (or was it trademarked?) term and they didn't want to risk
>getting sued. Note the lack of the term Pinkerton in HOE (though, 'the
>Agency' is mentioned).


And if you read City of Lost Angels, there's actually a game-world explanation
for the changeover.

E