Copyright expert on parodies?
 

Is there anyone here with a bit of knowhoo on copyright issues on books and movie characters? I need to ask about the copyright issues on something I've got in the works.

Even things that are legal can get you sued by companies so big and rich that you will be broke and ruined long before you are vindicated. And if you do win, they will sue you again, and then again, and then your kids.

Just do it and see what happens.

That's just my opinion, though.

Hmm.. now that puts a spanner in the works. Course I just need to change names to get out of problem, but then it wont sell so well probly. So what would the company do - will they ask me to change /take down the stuff first or will they sue right away? Cos if they ask me to remove the stuff first I could change all the names in a hurry.

99.9% of the time they just send you a cease and desist order and you remove it and it's all good. Fan fiction sites deal with these issues all the time and I've never heard of one actually being sued. Our lawyer recommends against it because of the deep pockets of the trademark holders, but it is constitutional to parody someone. I say go for it, but make sure it's obvious that it's not "official".

Then again, what the hell do I know?

What do you mean "make sure it's obvious that it's not 'official'." ? I will be selling the stuff, so its commercial, not just a fan parody.