XPost - Trademark and Writers, Using Tissue or a Brand Name?

Recently in several of the writers' forums I frequent, there were conversations regarding trademark and brands. Do we use tissue or a name brand? When can we reference a character from a movie or book?

Written by a published author (and trademark attorney), a post at the Romance University, http://romanceuniversity.org/2014/04/28/trademark-and-the-author-with-mindy-klasky/,  explains considerations on using a trademarked item, how to determine if a brand is so protected, and other tips for writers on the issue.

~Till next time. Helen