Re: restrictions in writing a biography

On Wed, Mar 03, 1999, Alison Pinsler <alisonp[_at_]fox.com> wrote:
>
> What are the restrictions, if any, about writing a biography of someone
> who died in 1952. The person in question was quite well known and
> powerful in his lifetime. Also, there are still some family members
> alive. Thanks, Alison

There should be nbo restrictions at all, since a dead person has no rights in a life story, no right of privacy, nor even a right against defamation. Of course to the extent that people who are still living are likely to be included, portrayed, characterized, and/or quoted in your biography, it may be a good idea to obtain appropiate consents. Of course, as long as you stick to provable non-private facts, you should be able to say what you want about anyone, living or dead, without obtaining permission of any kind. But consents from living persons are a good way of forestalling possible future lawsuits (however frivolous) and of obtaining exclusivity agreements as well. In any case, you should definitely retain and consult with a lawyer conversant with copyright, privacy, defamation, and First Amendment issues.

Bob Cumbow
cumbr[_at_]perkinscoie.com
206-583-8566 Received on Thu Mar 04 1999 - 17:22:00 GMT