Is it ok to call my character in my book okami?

Question

I am writing a book about wolves and I am desperate to call my main wolf character Okami.

The thing is there is a computer game called 'okami' I own it myself but thats not the reason I want to call my character Okami, in my book my characters names are all objects in japanese. I want my character to be caloled Okami because it means 'wolf' in japanese. All I want to know is when i try to publish this will i be stopped because I have copied from the game?

Please help, I've tried to look it up but all the game information keeps coming up. Even worse how my he is a white wolf, please help!

.X.x.Shewolf.x.X.

Answer 1

You'll be fine if you don't publish it.

Answer 2

I don't think it will be a problem, though you may have the problem of some of your readers thinking the name's clique if they've played the game. Personally i've read a number of online stories and RPs that have wolves named okami in it so i'd suggest you find a different name. Maybe find the Japanese word for white? But if you must go with it i pretty certain you wont not get published if the only problem is the name.



Hope this helps :) Good luck with your story

Answer 3

You won't be stopped from publishing as it's a common word.



However the association with the game Okami is very strong - many people know this game as it has won many awards! So when somebody reads your book he/she WILL think you're using that character, especially when it's a white wolf. People will think you just came up with new adventures of this character even if you didn't. That's just how psychology works.



If I were you I would find another japanese word that could also describe that character - for example a word for 'white' or maybe 'fur', 'wild' or anything that you come up with yourself...

Answer 4

*sigh* doo dee doo.... what a pickle. I would say Okami the name isn't really copyrighted. I suppose as long as the story isnt like the game then ir might be ok.... I've played the game myself btw. And maybe if you're a bit worried then pick another name from a name website? There are plenty. I found a name for my wolf by using the word glisten- that became Glistka. Go with Okami if you want... it's just a name. BUT you have to realise people are less likely to take your story seriously if you've used a name from a game.... consider these.

Answer 5

It should be fine. The game you're referring to does not own the word "Okami". The are other manga/stories with "Okami' in it.



I kind of had this problem because one of my characters is named after a character in a korean drama. The drama doesn't own his first name, so they can't do anything about that. The only problem is that people may recognize the name for something else and see it as not that original.



If you gave you're character superman's name or Hong Gil Dong(Korean robin hood), then it would be a problem.

Answer 6

Okami should be Ookami.

Okami means a landlady or authorities.

Answer 7

Course you can! After all you do own the game dont you. As long as your chartacter has a name, your good to go!

Answer 8

Just add another silent letter. IT IS ILLEGAL TO COPY DIRECTLY AND GET MONEY FROM IT