Is it legal to use someones name and picture in a blog?
Say I am writing an article about an event that actually happened, am I allowed to use the entrants name and photo without their permission. If not, what kind of waiver must I get signed first?
Answer:
Basically the the freedom of speech rules would apply: if the event is a real even of "public interest" and you will only report the true about the event then you will be protected under the first amendment. So you can use his name and picture (if you took the picture or have the photographer's consent). If the pictures was not taken by you then only use the name.
Now if you do this with a commercial purpose (let's say to promote a product of yours) or use the blog to lie about this person or to attack someone then you will be in lots of trouble.
Courts don't recognize bloggers as journalists so next time ask the guy to be sure.
I think you need permission. It would be the more polite thing to do, if anything.
Only if it was already in the news. Otherwise you can use your name and picture.
I pretty sue you can use the name and picture if it's good things being said about them (who would care?), but if it's slanderous, you can mention the name (probably only first), and then ask the person and write up something saying "I ______ give permission for ______ to use this photo of me taken on this date." It's always good to be safe. If you privatize your blog, no worries at all. They won't be able to read it on you blog without permission (example, FRIENDS ONLY in livejournal.)
EDIT: I have to agree with Artman, especially if this was for a poker tournament. You're not acting like you're any of these guys and you're just writing about events, so I don't think it's any big deal that you need to worry about, especially if the guys seem to know about you writing about it.
yes it is
You need to be careful not only on infringement rights but on civil rights. If you put up a picture and a blog and from your blog you create a hate situation so that the person(s) you blog about or show pictures of is recognized; and if in the morning the police find that person dead with a print out of your blog on it, you could be investigated. Never take chances. Stand out of trouble. Leave slander alone. Even if it is true, is it really necessary to defame another? If it is important, why don't you call that person and ask for permission to put up their picture?
Your question- "am I allowed to use the entrants(what is entrants?)name and photo without their permission." The word you used "without permission" is already illegal in the sense that it is without deliberately consent from the original person.
No it is not legal to use someone else name & picture in a blog. The simply reason that the person you are using doesnot have the knowledge or where you are going to use his/her name & picture for, or for whatever reason that maybe, either good or bad I donot think someone would allowed even your own sister/brother to borrow or steal their name and picture in blog without their consent. I think that is common sense. One of the best example here is this FRIENDSTER, the owner's of some name & photo's especially celebrities found out that their name's and photos are being used by some unscrupulous person and chat in the internet, and those chatting with them thought that they are really this celebrity together with their photos. Example if some girl uses the name britney spears plus her photo and uses chat hoping to catch guys on the net, and she did. The guy on the other line thinking she is really the pop icon Ms. Spears. Isn't this a SCAM.
I think the internet is going to make some adjustment and penalties for person who do such things. This is considered theft in the grandest scale or invasion of private personal life. Why not use your own photos and your own name. Something wrong with both of them? For me I am proud of my name and my photo, but not necessarily in that order. Because in Japan, your name itself is already considered a passport, if you happen to belong to a prominent and considered decent family. It is an honor to brag your family name. I donot know why some people find it so shameful or embarrassing to write your own name or use your own photo in some articles or in this so called blog. Maybe it is something to do with mentally culture.
The answers post by the user, for information only, FreeLawAnswer.com does not guarantee the right.
Answer question:
More Questions and Answers: