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Writing about Famous People? Is it Legal?

by Chaiwriter
6 replies
I know this isn't the place for legal advice but I just wanted to get some thoughts on a product I'm about to launch:

This is a report that clearly states it's an unauthorized bio on (insert famous person's name). I also have a disclaimer in the report and on the sales page that states the report is not affiliated with the person or the "organization" the person is affiliated with.

From what I've read, freedom of speech and the press protects people's right to do this as long as there isn't any lies and there isn't anything that is trying to destroy the person.

Can anyone else offer their thoughts on this?

I'm starting to get cold feet now that I'm about to launch the product.

Again, this report is all information that's been published in several newspapers and magazines and it's all just factual stuff about the person growing up etc.

Please let me know your thoughts...

Thanks,

Chai
#famous #legal #people #writing
  • Profile picture of the author Lloyd Buchinski
    Certainly not a lawyer but that all sounds OK to me. Once a person
    is famous as I understand it, they are pretty much public property,
    although I haven't researched and checked on this and expect I
    would get a little worried also just before taking a step like that.

    Good luck with the project.
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  • Profile picture of the author write-stuff
    I've written a lot of articles in national magazines about famous people without their permission. As long as you don't libel someone, there is nothing to prevent you from talking about them in print.
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  • Profile picture of the author ptone
    Have you ever read the National Enquirer or People Magazine or the hundreds of other publications whose primary purpose is to write about famous people? Writers write about famous people all the time.

    They get sued by the famous people sometimes for false stories, but rarely lose. The stars know they can't win, they do it for PR purposes..."if I'm willing to sue, then they must be lying about me."

    Once a person becomes famous, the courts hardly ever find someone guilty of slander or libel against that person. BUT, if they decided to sue you anyway, I'm sure they would beat you down with their near unlimited funds by forcing you to hire an attorney and pay lots of legal fees.

    My concern for you would be the source(s) of your information. Make sure you properly (legally) cite those sources or they may come after you for plagiarism. I have no clue what the legal way to do this is, but I would sure research it before your release.

    DISCLAIMER: I am not an attorney and my comments are NOT to be taken as legal advice!
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  • Profile picture of the author Chaiwriter
    Thanks for the advice.

    As for my sources, I used many sources and all the information I included was published in many different places. Therefore, it's considered common knowledge. Though it took some digging to find all the sources.

    So, I'm not worried about plagiarism.

    Chai
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    • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
      If you're worried, why not send a copy to the person's agent. Tell them you are intending to publish it and ask their opinion.
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  • Profile picture of the author JOhnny Depth
    I have written many articles that comes from news before. If you are going to write them then write it on your own words.
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