If I am currently building a website, can Iuse an on-line picture of a celebrity character?
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If I am currently building a website, can Iuse an on-line picture of a celebrity character?
If I find a celebrity picture that I want to use, can I get sued if I use this pictures?
Asked on January 11, 2012 under Business Law, New Jersey
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you are building a website and use without the express written consent and permisison of the living celebrity his or her depiction in your venture, you very well can be sued over the act. The reason is that under the laws of all states in this country, a person who is alive has the right to his or her own use of their likeness and can sue to protect it. You also have to be concerned about possible copyright issues as well.
As to celebrities who are no longer alive, you need to be aware of possible copyright issues as well as to the photographs that you may want to use concerning your website.
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