Is it Illegal to use NBA Players Names For a Game?

Question

Is it Illegal to use NBA Players Names For a Game?

cause me and my friends are planning on creating a forum based game that will be using 1996-1997 NBA player names and we will be using it for profit so will we get sued or are we in violation of copyright laws?

Answer 1

another problem is the appearance of any recognizable celebrity in a commercial product constitutes an endorsement. The FTA will take you to court if in fact the celebrity players in the game never heard of it, let alone have an endorsement deal. It is an unfair marketing tactic to claim an endorsement when none exists.

The NBA can only take your money, but the Feds can put you in jail.

Answer 2

No you will be shot on site.

Answer 3

Well you need to be in agreement with the NBA players association. Thats why Michael Jordan can't be in video games. He isn't in the players association and EA sports and 2k sports would have to pay Jordan to use his name.