Permission to paraphrase TV shows?

[maurirada]

I am writing a novel about 30 somethings. They sit around and discuss their childhood. I would like them to discuss specific TV episodes that they remember, but I am wondering if that would be any violation of copyright laws.

For example, "Remember the episode of Diff'rent Strokes where the creepy guy shows him the naughty cartoons and Gary Coleman almost got molested?" "What, that didn't happen."

I wouldn't be quoting any dialog, but I would be paraphrasing specific plots. Will I have copyright issues?

Thanks!

Maureen

[johnzakour]

I'd think you'd probably be okay. If not the publisher's lawyers will tell you to take it out.

[IceCreamEmpress]

I wouldn't be quoting any dialog, but I would be paraphrasing specific plots. Will I have copyright issues?


Nope. As long as you're talking about actual shows and paraphrasing them briefly, you're fine.

Where you'd be in trouble would be if you were using characters in ways that damaged the intellectual property. Like, "Remember that episode of 'Punky Brewster' where she became a prostitute?" You'd be likely to get a letter from the copyright holders on that one.

[johnzakour]

Plus you can't lyrics from TV shows. I had the theme from the Brady Bunch in my first novel and I had to rewrite the words....