Reader Question: Do I Need Permission?

Recently reader Rose J. wrote in with a question about permissions: "I have co-authored a children's book in which the main character visits major landmarks like Yankee Stadium, BB King's Blues Club, and Central Park. Nothing is described in great detail, and nothing is described in a negative or a disparaging way. My question is: do we need to get permission in order to mention these places in the book? Is there something documented somewhere that I can refer to?"

My response to Rose was that no permission is needed for describing major landmarks. Publishers worry about things like images, poetry, and trademarked names. And should there be some question, the publishers will have their legal people take a look. Unless it's a major part of your book -- like say, your main character is a doll named Barbie -- let them pay to do the research, and concentrate your efforts on getting the book written and published.

But in this litigious age, it doesn't hurt to be informed. Columbia University has a good copyright site, courtesy of their Copyright Advisory Office. More information is also available on the U.S. copyright office site.

But there are plenty of resources out there. If you have tips -- or if you have your own experiences with copyright questions -- please give them up below. And of course feel free to peruse other reader questions here.