Can You LEGALLY Mention Someone in Your Book? 🤔📚 #bookpublishing #authorproblems

Well, using real names in nonfiction books does carry legal risks that authors should be aware of. There's the defamation risk. Publishing false statements that harm someone's reputation can lead to a lawsuit. There's also the invasion of privacy. Disclosing truthful but embarrassing private facts about identifiable individuals can be problematic. There's also the right of publicity. Using someone's name, image, or likeness without consent for commercial purposes can potentially violate their right of publicity. So here's what I recommend. First, obtain written permission. When possible, get written consent from individuals mentioned in your book. So my own personal rule of thumb is that I only seek permission if I'm sharing something that may not be widely known or it's something that could be perceived as not positive. The second thing I recommend is to stick to facts. Ensure all statements about real people are factual and verifiable, and then finally, consult an attorney. Seek legal advice from a knowledgeable lawyer if there's sensitive content involved in particular. But if you're uncomfortable or worried at all, just pay for the content. Consult.