Do I need to contact a university prior to including in novel?

[Cori]

I include the name of a real university in my upcoming fiction novel in that the main character is head of one of their departments. Do I need to (or should) contact university and ask their permission? It is a science fiction novel that involves time travel. First book in series is primarily set in present day. Thanks in advance for your answers. Love this group and how helpful everyone is!

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

Cori wrote: "I include the name of a real university in my upcoming fiction novel in that the main character is head of one of their departments. Do I need to (or should) contact university and ask their permission?"

I wouldn't think so, unless you're going to imply that the university is up to something sinister.

[Justin]

What Dwayne said. I'd also go as far to say they'd be flattered if you mentioned them..given they are a clean university with nothing to hide of course.

[R.]

I've mentioned Cambridge, even specific colleges and departments, before and had no problems. Of course being an MA(Cantab) helps.

I did make up the "Department of Alien Studies" in the future. Nobody minded.

I also wanted to use Professor Hewish's ideas on interstellar navigation in one story, so I e-mailed him, and got a very nice reply giving me permission and suggesting a better design for the receiver.

[Jay]

The usual caveat: When you want a legal opinion, consult a lawyer.

Generally, you can use real world people and places fictitiously as long as you're not using the label 'fiction' as a smokescreen to do harm. Think about how many fictional characters have stopped at MacDonald's for a burger.

Consider another art form, feature film. When the protagonist is driving down Main Street, does the film producer have to get a release from every business and person who happens to show up in the film? No.

If James Bond works for British Intelligence, does he need their permission to mention them? No.

Be fair. Mark your work clearly as a work of fiction, and in any situation where you have serious doubts, consult an attorney. Other than that, let's be realistic, you cannot divorce fiction completely from the real world. Sometimes, the main character just wants to stop at MacDonald's for a burger.

[Christina]

The disclaimer you put in the front should include something about real brands and locales being used in a ficticious manner, however, this does not absolve you from legal action being taken against you.

I'll just echo what Jay says about discussing with an attorney if you have doubts, but unless you are doing something that would imply as Dwayne said that theyvare up to no good, you should be fine. In one of my books, I had a mysterious painting show up at a local museum. I added a nod to the museum and a link to their website in my acknowledgments. They had no problem with that.

[Cori]

I am not trying to portray them in a negative light and at worst, it is neutral material. I will make a point of adding a link to their university in the acknowledgements. Thanks everyone!

[Anthony Deeney]

Cori wrote: "I am not trying to portray them in a negative light and at worst, it is neutral material. I will make a point of adding a link to their university in the acknowledgements. Thanks everyone!"

I would not 'acknowledge' a university, unless they have been approached and permitted the use of their name.

They are hardly likely to bother either way, unless as Dwayne and others have said before me, you darken their image in some way. If you smear their image, then a disclaimer will not stop a legal case.