Would it be ok to....

[myrosewine]

Put real life movies, products, characters, etc. in a webcomic?

An example, my main character from my webcomic "Twiggy" wears Transformer Autobot pajamas as sleepwear. I'm asking is that ok to put in just a webcomic? I'm not planning on publishing it into a comic book or selling anything. So, would it be ok?
I don't want to get in trouble xD

[RyoSoulreaper]

I would assume so since it won't be published.

[myrosewine]

mmmkayy!

Just wanted to make sure

[NitztheBloody]

I assume that if it were just an occasional background joke, and not a regular part of the character's wardrobe, it would be fine even if published. In that case, it could even be construed as positive for Hasbro, since you'd be giving them free advertising and they wouldn't send their army of lawyers after a likeness used in a few panels in an online comic strip. (Plus, parody is protected under law).

[corruption]

What you described should come under the heading of "fair use" and is legal. Others areas of the law that may be of use are Parody and Tribute. Those last two are only necessary for those who use something a lot, and make the referances really easy.

What some people do to avoid trouble is to give easily identifiable logos and brandnames a slight twist. Microsoft is often put down as Uberhard. Google has been put down as Foogle and Googel. Things like that.

[Ddraigeneth]

What some people do to avoid trouble is to give easily identifiable logos and brandnames a slight twist. Microsoft is often put down as Uberhard. Google has been put down as Foogle and Googel. Things like that.

That's the easiest way to avoid any issues. As long as you don't directly say "Transformers," then drawings you make of them aren't protected by the copyright.

[kotor]

What some people do to avoid trouble is to give easily identifiable logos and brandnames a slight twist. Microsoft is often put down as Uberhard. Google has been put down as Foogle and Googel. Things like that.

That's the easiest way to avoid any issues. As long as you don't directly say "Transformers," then drawings you make of them aren't protected by the copyright.

Actually, it depends. copyright law states that as long as the image is not in the foreground or the focus of a shot, it's not copyright infringement - hence why TV shows can get away with having posters or t-shirts with brand names on them.

But avoiding brandnames can lead to greater creativity. People tend to laugh when they recognise something, but it's slightly different - I read one comic that features a restaurant called McFood a lot, which makes me chuckle.

[myrosewine]

Lol thanks guys! I just wanted to make sure about all this.
I appreciate everyone's input

[xkrazydog]

McFood

In most manga's its become like a trademark to call fast food restaurants: "WcDonald's"