Does anyone know, legally, if it's okay to use a living celebrity in a piece of fiction?
I've written a short story, set in this world, in a very ordinary setting, but a famous person happens to be in it. There's no slander, it's a humorous piece, but I just wonder if there are any laws that say it's not okay to use a living famous person as a character.
Anyone have any ideas?
*Later... I emailed the organisers of the competition I'm sending my story to and they are fine with it. Sac magique! Good to know. *
8 comments:
I *think* you have to get permission, which may or not cost you money...
Okay... thanks, Nik. It's a story I want to sub to a competition, and I'm wondering whether it'd just be dismissed, whether they like the story or not, because it might be complicated.
Maybe I should email the organisers? Hm...
I think the reason they charge (if they do) is because they'd assume you'd be making money from their name as it were - so, with that in mind, it would probably be better to take out the ref if possible. Be interested to see what the organisers said though...
(And I could be wrong!)
I see what you mean. But it'd be impossible to take out the ref - there's no story without the celeb.
I should probably do some researching / emailing before I send it anywhere, it's the story I would be sending to Bristol, Bridport, all the big ones this year. I really like it, my writing group like it, I'm attached to it... I may have to can it.
I'll let you know what happens.
(I realise that when I said it 'just happens' to have a famous person in it I made it sound like he's a casual passer-by ...)
Resolved: I emailed the competition organisers and they are fine with stories with a real life famous not dead person being in them.
Yay!
Ace! That's good news!
I had a look on the SoA's guides and there was nothing there, so maybe it's not such a big thing to worry about.
Good luck with the comps!
Cheers, Nik! And for looking at the SoA too.
I am suitably reassured that my story won't be overlooked / chucked aside for having a celeb as a main character. I'd still be wary if I was publishing it myself, but that's not the case. Coolio!
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