Confused about names and titles

[MstrTal]

So I have read quite a few books, as we all have, and I have come across on more than one occasion something that confuses me.

In some books music artists, bands and songs are freely mentioned. These are both current and not so up to date. In other books, not necessarily humorous books, songs and bands and the like their names are changed to something similar but different enough.

Now what confuses me is why? Why do some writers change the names and others leave them as they are naturally? Is there a possible copywrite issue or is it personal inclination?

 

[hopewrites]

more likely personal inclination. as others will no doubt tell you with all the appropriate citations and wordings, as long as your not defaming the brand or product you mention and you dont use its title in yours, your pretty much clear to use it.

some dont because they feel it would date their work. some dont because they dont want to risk the murky waters of "well what's really defaming?" some dont because they want to separate their world from reality while still being relative.

I dated a musician once who wrote a song about Jello, but had to call the song Dessert, as the name Jello was already trademarked.

 

[J Riff]

One could write about a band... how awful they were... and get more publicity from the lawsuit than they ever would from the book itself.
Hmmm...

 

[allmywires]

I don't change names but I make them obvious to people that are familiar with them. Personally, I find real-world name/brand dropping a little awkward and VERY dating. Also, using 'phone' and 'tablet' are more than necessary substitutes for, say, 'iPhone' and 'iPad.' It gives the book a bit more longevity and the reader a bit more freedom of imagination, even if it is only a little bit. I guess it's also the difference between saying, 'he put on his Gucci shirt and Versace suit', rather than just, 'he put on his high-end designer suit and shirt.'