Book titles and copyrights/Trademarks

[schmidte]

If someone was writing a book about how (in their opinion) Microsoft bullies their competitors, does that "someone" need to get permission from Microsoft to use "Microsoft" in the title of the book?

For example:"How MicroSoft Destroys the Little Guy"

My second question is: If I wanted to sell my book at www.How-MicroSoft-Destroys-the-Little-Guy.com, could Microsoft come after me for using their name to make money.

Just wondering :huh:
ED

 

[Phantom]

If someone was writing a book about how (in their opinion) Microsoft bullies their competitors, does that "someone" need to get permission from Microsoft to use "Microsoft" in the title of the book?

For example:"How MicroSoft Destroys the Little Guy"

My second question is: If I wanted to sell my book at www.How-MicroSoft-Destroys-the-Little-Guy.com, could Microsoft come after me for using their name to make money.

Just wondering :huh:
ED

I think you'd be okay, because its clear that you are using the name in the context of a critique or expose.

If Al Franken can publish a book called "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot", you are probably safe.

There are numerous newspaper and magazine articles with Microsoft in the title of the story, and ther e are E-books with Microsoft in the title too.

You could also request permission and if they refuse, that could be additional material for a chapter. You could even include their written letter refusing your request as the back jacket of the book. Your byline could be "The book that Microsoft didnt want me to write!"