What are the rules on mentioning the names of well known people, dead or alive? Musicians? I have at least two scenes where a band name or a singer is mentioned.
Mentioning well known people
- Thread starter Hesperides
- Start date
- Status
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2007
- Messages
- 6,449
- Reaction score
- 1,321
You can mention the names of public figures (including musicians) as long as nothing possibly defamatory is implied.
OK: The sinuous guitar of Jimi Hendrix made Jane's head spin, and she was almost disappointed when The Doors took the stage.
Not OK: Jane saw Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison gleefully kicking the old lady in the ribs.
OK: The sinuous guitar of Jimi Hendrix made Jane's head spin, and she was almost disappointed when The Doors took the stage.
Not OK: Jane saw Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison gleefully kicking the old lady in the ribs.
Yep, I think I've mentioned a famous person in a story before. I wouldn't go and say bad things about them, though. What's that word? oh, yeah, libellous. That may not go down well.
You could do something like this, and it would be okay, though (bad prose, but it just an example):
Kelly didn't know what Lisa saw in Orlando Bloom. He was one of the worst actors on the planet. Plus he was a soppy blanket, a weed, and also ugly. But, hey. Some people were just crazy. And Lisa was one of 'those' people.
You could do something like this, and it would be okay, though (bad prose, but it just an example):
Kelly didn't know what Lisa saw in Orlando Bloom. He was one of the worst actors on the planet. Plus he was a soppy blanket, a weed, and also ugly. But, hey. Some people were just crazy. And Lisa was one of 'those' people.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2007
- Messages
- 6,449
- Reaction score
- 1,321
Yes, jvc makes an excellent point.
"Orlando Bloom is the worst actor ever" is fine, because it's an opinion.
"Orlando Bloom cheats on his taxes" is a no-no, because it's an assertion of wrongdoing on Mr. Bloom's part.
"Orlando Bloom is the worst actor ever" is fine, because it's an opinion.
"Orlando Bloom cheats on his taxes" is a no-no, because it's an assertion of wrongdoing on Mr. Bloom's part.
Thanks! In one scene, the MC is at a concert. The other scene was what worried me, though. The MC's love interest suggests that a past musician was an immortal (I am not saying the V word!!).
I thought you couldn't defame dead people, only the living. Am I wrong here?
I ignored reason and wrote an entire chapter with Gordon Lightfoot as a character. Then I contacted his manager. Within minutes I had my answer. In writing. Lightfoot was thrilled. I got to write my story MY way.
Gordon Lightfoot? You must be a child of the 1970s. 
Because if not, you would've written something starring Johnny Depp, you know.
Because if not, you would've written something starring Johnny Depp, you know.
Gordon Lightfoot? You must be a child of the 1970s.
Because if not, you would've written something starring Johnny Depp, you know.
i was born in 66. i did the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. i'm passing on the 00's.
Ouch, I forgot that part.
Can we actually prove that Orlando Bloom is a bad actor/taxpayer?
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2008
- Messages
- 3,043
- Reaction score
- 783
- Location
- BC, Canada
- Website
- www.sandrawickham.com
LOL, have you seen his films? Oh yeah, baaad.
Legal Note: this view is my own and not necessarily the views of absolute write, MacAllister or whichever (misguided) person wrote those profile questions.
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2007
- Messages
- 6,449
- Reaction score
- 1,321
Yes, but you can impair their estate's right to exploitation, and the result is a lawsuit just the same. The estates of Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison have a vested interest in those artists not being perceived as granny-bashers, so you would be getting stiff notes from the attorneys.
Now, an historical figure from the distant past is probably safe game, legally--you can say that Vercingetorix liked sex with sheep and smelt of elderberries, and nothing bad would happen.
Then again, there are some historical figures whose fandoms will give you no peace for months or years if you depict them in a way they don't like. I'm thinking about all the 'ALEXANDER THE GREAT WAS NOT BISEXUAL! HOW DARE YOU!!?!!' flak that Oliver Stone got from a variety of sources after his recent movie.
indiriverflow
Banned
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2007
- Messages
- 507
- Reaction score
- 81
- Location
- Rainbow Country
- Website
- www.blues4kali.com
How on Earth did they not know? As if any strict heterosexual would go around calling himself "Alexander."
Orlando Bloom and Keanu Reeves should be BFFs.
**personal opinion, of course
What about suggesting that someone is not dead? Like a famous musician from the 90s? I mean, it's something said in passing by MC#2, so it's not important to the plot. It's just something fun!
**personal opinion, of course
What about suggesting that someone is not dead? Like a famous musician from the 90s? I mean, it's something said in passing by MC#2, so it's not important to the plot. It's just something fun!
Not a problem. Libel is when you say something bad that reasonable people might actually believe: so-and-so cheats on his taxes, committed a crime, has syphilis, etc. etc. etc. In other words it has to be something both negative AND REAL. Suggesting that someone is an immortal [insert name of mythological creature here] is not going to get you sued for libel.
I suppose, depending on who the musician is, he might be pretty stoked that someone thinks he's a vampire!
Robert Rankin has a whole series of books starring Elvis Presley going around with a time travelling brussel sprout named Barry (gotta love surreal humourOrlando Bloom and Keanu Reeves should be BFFs.
**personal opinion, of course
What about suggesting that someone is not dead? Like a famous musician from the 90s? I mean, it's something said in passing by MC#2, so it's not important to the plot. It's just something fun!
).
I thought Jim Morrison died essentially penniless and alone. He has an estate? I get the whole idea of not wanting to piss off ardent fans, but I don't think a defamation lawsuit would get anywhere unless the estate was very strong, with loads of money and powerful descendents. But again, could be wrong. Better safe than sorry, I say.
I suppose, depending on who the musician is, he might be pretty stoked that someone thinks he's a vampire!
Well, he's not around anymore to know. I'm pretty sure his hard core fans would like to think he was immortal (not the V word!!! No!! lol)
Robert Rankin has a whole series of books starring Elvis Presley going around with a time travelling brussel sprout named Barry (gotta love surreal humour
Wow, that's...wow.
- Status