Writing.Com General Discussion

If a place is available for public access, then you can use it.

the problem with trademarks is that they are often for specific things. In the case of Martha's Vineyard, I wouldn't mind betting they are (a) the only place named that in the USA and so (b) the trademark will prevent other towns being named that, but, most importantly, (c) they have the trademark for touristy souvenirs.

So, as it is a place and you can go there, the trademark does not cover using it as a place in a story.

Don't forget, the state (well, Commonwealth) of Kentucky trademarked their name. What that means is that in Australia Kentucky Fried Chicken must be called KFC and Jim Beam is just called bourbon, not Kentucky bourbon... all because of that trademark. But stories, films, songs, etc. are set in Kentucky and it costs nothing.