[stylist] Autobiography and getting sued

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Atty,

Usually writers will ask people if they can include their name. It
depends on what you are writing about them. There is no reason , legally
speaking, why you can not use people's names, but if you write material
about them that could be skewed as slanderous or derogatory, said person
may be able to sue you, though this doesn't necessarily mean they will
win.

If you want to publish actual material such as letters or emails from
another person, even if sent directly to you, there is a legal
precedence stating you must obtain  their permission to use the
letters/emails or other written forms of communication.

You can also try looking into nonprofit groups providing free legal
services for initial consultations. Creighton University has such a
group of law students who can help you determine if something is legal
or not, and of course, you know Bob Burns, who may know as well.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 10
Date: Sun, 4 Mar 2012 14:33:13 -0600
From: "The Crowd" <the_crowd at cox.net>
To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [stylist] autobiography and gtetting sued
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Anyone have knowledge about the legality of using a person's name in a 
biogrpahy or autobiography?

Thanks,
Atty