I’m just getting my feet wet, writing my first Choicescript game. It’s set in a fictional version of the US, in the very near future, and I’m wondering if brand names and product names (like “7 Eleven”, “Starbucks”, “Pepsi”, “Marlboro”, “Nike” etc) are acceptable. Should I use more generic terms (like “convenience store”, “coffee shop”, “soda”, “cigarettes”, “sneakers”) instead, or maybe even change the brand names to something similar sounding (or invent new ones entirely)?
Are there any legal reasons not to use brand names? If not, would it feel like I’m promoting these brands/products to the reader if I do include them?
I’m thinking particularly of my characters’ dialogues here, I don’t see myself using brand names in descriptions.
I think it depends how you use them, for example: she put the glass of coke to her lips and drank it slowly, thinking" that I think is a example of how you can use it. The other is: “he said happily ‘coke is the best drink ever!’ As she slowly put the glass of coke to her lips” that’s a promoting example.
So it depends.
I have done a little research into this, but by no means an expert and this is not legal advice. It is far better to avoid using real product names as it can cause you a problem should the owners think your story puts a bad slant on their product.