I was scripting an upcoming issue and wanted a character to throw and sing the "Slinky" song. Then it hit me that the name may be restricted and it is. Sooo, I know you can mention Restricted things in works like Star Trek or anything else that is cultured.

Would using a little of this song be too much though? I know not for this forum and it's not like I'm published or anything but let's assume I am =P

Does that step too far into the copy write?

Go ahead. :D

If using song names is breaking the law, I would be the biggest offender seeing as I've used actual songs (not song names) in most of the pages in my comic.

I'm not a lawyer, but I guess you can be sued if you were publishing, but you're not so no worries! Go nuts!

Hell just look at all of my comics, they all have a music reference. Let's just hope Sufjan Stevens never discovers DD, but I'm not worried since I don't even make a profit out of my comics, so let freedom ring!

Go ahead. The fact is all that would happen anyway is that they'd send you a letter and ask you to remove the reference.
So what? You just change the page, a few minute's work, pshaw! It costs THEM more (a LOT) to have their lawyers send out the letters. lol!

Obviously people shouldn't go silly and just put whatever they want in their comics because then the lawyers would get Lazy and get on DD's case instead (even though they'd have NO right to do that). But really, it shouldn't be a problem.

Songs deal with licensing and something tells me the Slinky song shouldn't be a problem. Granted there are cases like "happy birthday" which even restaurants can seldom use because of the licensing and copyright but I'd think a song like that, making no profit off your work, you're probably okay to throw it in. Like Ozone said, the most they'll likely do is send you a cease and desist letter. Grand scheme, crediting the company if you moved to print and talking with their legal folks wouldn't hurt.

More on licensing check out BMI for anyone looking to get hard core. :D

Random wikipedia trivia. The generic slinky name appears to be "Lazy-Spring" o_O

I was less concerned about the song since just a few lines will be in it. More concerned about using the name "Slinky" itself.

I suppose as long as it isn't viewed as bad press to the company it is no problem. Too bad it probably is bad press since these slinkys will wrap around your legs and spiral there way upwards cutting you to shreds ^_^

Bah, screw it, it stays in. I just generally tend to not want to put too many things in my comics that are restricted. Lazy spring song just doesn't fit as well. =P

Don't forget you are allowed to parody and satirize a lot of things. And Slinky is in the popular culture.

And now I'm reminded of my favorite song from Ren and Stimpy. It's log! It's log! It's big, it's heavy, it's wood!

See, now logs wrapping themselves around you, launching you in the air and cutting you to shreds... now THAT'S something to think about.

The Ren & Stimpy creators were the kings of parody!

Powdered Toast Cereal
"It tastes just like sawdust!!!"

Sugar Sod Smacks
"It tastes just like a fresh mowed lawn!"
"Mmmmmm -- it's got that just-raked freshness!"
"Comes with a LIVE Praying Mantis inside!!"

I wouldn't worry about Slinky, either -- especially if it's in parody.

SteveMyers22
Don't forget you are allowed to parody and satirize a lot of things. And Slinky is in the popular culture.

And now I'm reminded of my favorite song from Ren and Stimpy. It's log! It's log! It's big, it's heavy, it's wood!

You know my husband and I had this conversation once in regards to using the Daytona and other trademarked names in the comic.

I use real life cars in my comics and I do my best to make them look cool. (With the exception of the Crown Vic - I blow those up) Granted it's possible but I highly doubt Dodge/Daimler Chrysler is gonna lose sleep over me using their vehicles and their names. The one thing I AM obligated to do is on a versa page put that it is a Trademark of the Chrysler corp.

So it's kind of the same thing. And yes, there is Parody. You can still get cease and desist for Parody usage but kind of like my car issue, I highly doubt they're going to lose sleep over it.

SteveMyers22
Don't forget you are allowed to parody and satirize a lot of things. And Slinky is in the popular culture.

And now I'm reminded of my favorite song from Ren and Stimpy. It's log! It's log! It's big, it's heavy, it's wood!

How about Slanky or Skanky instead of Slinky....people will see the the slinky and see the name you called and everyone should get the coorelation...