For example, a mission I'm working on involves somewhat of a multiple-choice trivia game. One of the questions involves a girl named Marlena, so I was thinking, as one of the multiple choice answers, I'd use Marlena Evans (a character from the NBC soap opera "Days of our Lives"). As I said, it would be in name only, but I wanted to ask and make sure that was okay before doing so.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

While I don't have a solid answer, I would say no. With a Star Trek character such as Jean-Luc Picard, we have the rights to Star Trek but not the likeness of Patrick Stewart, hence the in name only. However with another IP such as Days of Our Lives, we don't the rights to either the story or the likeness. So I would play it safe and stay away from other IPs.

Okay, I'll do that then, just to be safe. Thanks for the reply!

Oh, by the way, love your sig!

You can use any name not blocked, common names cannot copy right protected, the likeness issue another story

So you're saying I can mention their name, but I can't use their likeness?

If I'm reading (and understanding) your post correctly, then that's perfectly fine. That's exactly what I was looking to do. Thanks!

Yes you can name anyone you like the game has a few names blocked out, but anything it will except you can use......likeness is something that the actor in question retains the rights to generally unless they are covered in make up or masks. Your interpretation of my answer is correct.

Wonderful! Again, thank you very much!

*gives you cookies*

I often have a hard time coming up with names, so when I needed a lot of them for my big series I used the last names of U.S. astronauts, kind of as a little tribute. The characters are not representative or similar in any way of those astronauts, of course (Apollo 14 command module pilot Stuart Roosa is not, after all, an Andorian ) and I didn't use anyone's likeness.