In the romance world,
we know there are some trademarks you can use
as long as you portray them
in a positive, happy light,
and there are some trademarks
you never ever touch.
One trademark not to touch is Disney.
Disney will sue publishers to the ground.
The other is Hells Angels.
They’re even scarier than Disney
and AS aggressive about trademark protection.
(Ironically, Hells Angels has sued Disney
in the past
for trademark infringement)
Ask Amazon.
Recently they were sued
for selling a “My Boyfriend’s a Hells Angel” shirt.
As their lawyer states
“Hells Angels is a membership mark,
and it denotes membership
in the organization.”
“Even the Hells Angels do not put it
on T-shirts they sell to the public.”
Respect the trademark of others
as you’d want them
to respect your trademark.