: Re: Can I reference events of a different fictional work in my fictional work? Let's say I'm working on a fantasy series called MyWork, that is set in the present in a small town in the US.

@Bethany377

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It's tricky. It's very complicated I don't believe there is a definite answer. I see no reason why you cannot reference fictional worlds or characters - even by name. I see examples every day. The pop culture genre is filled with such references - some more subtle than others.

"The guy just hulked out and went all Rambo on the other guy's ass."

"It seems we are not in Kansas any more."

In the way that a substantial number of common expressions are derived from Shakespeare, pop-culture, indeed, modern language, is filled with terms and relationships from fictional worlds.

There are two main legal tests for your intended usage: (1) Profit: is your use of the relationship a contributory factor in the sales of your books. i.e. Did people buy your work because it was based on 'Hogwarts'? (2) Brand damage: By indicating your character is Batman's gay half-brother, have you damaged Bruce Wayne's reputation.

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