question about a copyright...

TruckinTWrites · Nov 18, 2011

Raggedy Ann. If I use this doll and call it by name in a story, am I breaking some sort of law? It is actually a major part of the story. Would this be something that I needed to change the name?

rainsmom · Nov 18, 2011

That would be a trademark. It would depend on how you used the doll. If it's a favorite toy that gets lost and then found and represents all that's good in the world, then you'll be fine. If it becomes a killer doll or represents child molestation, thennnnn you'll likely be sued.

TruckinTWrites · Nov 18, 2011

Kind of what I thought. Guess its time for a name change for the doll. LOL.

Deleted member 42 · Nov 18, 2011

You can call the doll a "rag doll" and describe its features and hair, and everyone will know exactly what sort of doll you have in mind.

TruckinTWrites · Nov 18, 2011

Medievalist said:
You can call the doll a "rag doll" and describe it's features and hair, and everyone will know exactly what sort of doll you have in mind.

That's even better!

shaldna · Nov 19, 2011

The general rule is that you can use brand names so long as you don't say anything negative about them or use them in a way that could be seen as negative.

Jamesaritchie · Nov 19, 2011

There's nothing wrong with having a character play with, or own, a Raggedy Ann doll, anymore than there's something wrong with having a character drive a Ford Focus.

Raggedy Ann was a character in books long before it was a doll, and I know the books still came out in the 70's, so copyright holds on using the doll as the lead character in a story, but as a brand name product that a character owns, it's a different matter.

It all depends on exactly how you use the doll in the story.

IceCreamEmpress · Nov 20, 2011

"Jane had an old Raggedy Ann doll" is going to be fine, just as "Tim loved his Barbie doll" is.

Now, if your characters travel through a portal where toys are real, and Raggedy Ann and Barbie became the leaders of an expedition to hunt down the evil overlord Mr. Potato Head, that's a potential trademark and/or copyright issue.

Al Stevens · Nov 20, 2011

Evil doll? Call it a rag doll as suggested and let the owner give it a ficticious name, which you can use to address it in the story. I think a generic rag doll can be made to seem a lot scarier than that lovable old Raggedy Ann. Think Chuckie.

question about a copyright...

TruckinTWrites

New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin

rainsmom

Feeling like an old timer

TruckinTWrites

New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin

Deleted member 42

TruckinTWrites

New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Jamesaritchie

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

Al Stevens