Naming a real person in a novel

[Gary Compton]

What's the rules in doing this. If you make a political leader a baddy, are you leaving yourself open to legal action.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

You can use their name and likeness with their permission, but this must be stated.

You can "use" any deceased person as and how you like.

 

[Gary Compton]

What if you change their name slightly? Compton to Crompton?

 

[Stephen Palmer]

The person is still clearly recognisable, and if they can show in a court of law that "Gary Crompton" = Gary Compton, you lose.

 

[reiver33]

I've alluded to the fact that Richard Branson covertly funds vampire hunters - think he'll object?

 

[ratsy]

Gary, are you going to have David Crameron in a scene with a pig?

 

[AnyaKimlin]

My son thought he was David Cowman for a a long time. I think that's a news story we haven't had yet

 

[TheDustyZebra]

What's the rules in doing this. If you make a political leader a baddy, are you leaving yourself open to legal action.

It's Hitler. He was a baddie already.

 

[Gary Compton]

Some people will be getting slapped shortly, Ratsy.

I think Cameron was a great Prime Minister - terrible me.

 

[ratsy]

Hey, I'm just a victim of media, man!

And you will only offend Hitler's ghost with your depiction of him in The Fourth Reich

 

[Gary Compton]

Not worried about Hitler.

It's the live ones, the Presidents, Prime Ministers and Chancellors. Some are shown in a good light, some are not.

 

[ratsy]

I've always felt like using current people in a book dates it, so would suggest that you change their names and even genders to make enough difference.

That's just my opinion though!

 

[Gary Compton]

It is dated - 2010

 

[mosaix]

Some people will be getting slapped shortly, Ratsy.

I think Cameron was a great Prime Minister - terrible me.

He said Crameron, Gary. Obviously a different guy.