: Is writing a novel about a song considered plagiarism? I am interested in writing a novel about a song from a band. It will have the exact same plot but different names of the characters.

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Don't forget about trademark law! Disney can't copyright the idea of a talking mouse, but you will get sued for infringement if you appropriate their trademark, which could be an image of a mouse that has white gloves or a mouse that is named Mickey, for example.

Remember that Apple Records and Apple Computer had a tussle over trademarks.

So, while you may be safe in using ideas from a song, you might be infringing on trademarks if you use specific names or phrases. Although, lots of trademarks are not as common among bands as they are in commercial companies.

Trademark law can be as tricky as copyright. You an find a summary at the the Unites States Patent and Trademark office:
www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/BasicFacts.pdf

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