What do I need to look out for, legal wise, when creating a parody website?
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What do I need to look out for, legal wise, when creating a parody website?
I want to create a parody website on a certain motivational speaker. I plan to actually make money with this site. The site will only have images of the speaker with comedic text written on it. The text will be somewhat based upon the advice
the speaker has given in the past, but it will be changed around a bit for a comedic effect. I do not want to ask the speaker for permission to do any of what I have previously explained. I want to know if the speaker can possibly sue me or file a lawsuit for any reason at all if I create the website of which I have previously explained. Are there any rules of business that I am violating by creating that website?
Asked on August 29, 2016 under Business Law, Maryland
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
The speaker could sue you for invasion of privacy which is the appropriation of one's name or likeness for commercial purposes without consent.
Invasion of privacy in this context includes appropriation of a person's name, picture or voice for commercial purposes without consent.
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