Writing Book on a stranger

teddyboy

Good evening


I'm going to write a book about a man who did a lot of bad things in his interesting life. All the events are public knowledge as there was a court case and the man went to jail. The man is still alive and I know where he lives as i' 've meet him before

Can I write the book without his CONSENT ?

Can I keep all the profits?

Can I make a movie on the book?

Should I ask him to take part? He might not as he is working in a good job

Thanks

234

teddyboy wrote: »

Good evening


I'm going to write a book about a man who did a lot of bad things in his interesting life. All the events are public knowledge as there was a court case and the man went to jail. The man is still alive and I know where he lives as i' 've meet him before

Can I write the book without his CONSENT ?

Can I keep all the profits?

Can I make a movie on the book?

Should I ask him to take part? He might not as he is working in a good job

Thanks

All of those questions (possibly bar the last one) are requests for legal advice which can't be given. Relevant areas of law that you might want to research include defamation and copyright.

There may be professional authors' or writers' organisations which you can get in touch with who can give you some advice.

If people here do start giving you answers, take them with a pinch of salt. Random internet advice is rarely good advice (I'm aware that that statement could equally apply to this post, but then things all get a bit meta).

huskerdu

Lots of people write unauthorised biographies, so its certainly possible.

The first question to ask is - Do you intend self publishing it or are you going to try to convince a publisher to publish it ?

Whoever publishes it, is taking the risk of being sued for libel.

This is not legal advice, more business advice.

Have you considered the cost of self publishing, including the cost of a legal review for the risk of libel
If you are going to try to convince a publisher to get involved, you should do that now before you put any work into it.

Pawwed Rig

teddyboy wrote: »

Should I ask him to take part? He might not as he is working in a good job

For the sake of the books quality I would think that getting him involved would add to the narrative. Otherwise you are not really creating something other than assembling information.

nuac

You intend writing an unauthorised biography about a guy who has done some "bad things"?

Careful now. People can be sensitive

the world wonders

teddyboy wrote: »

Should I ask him to take part?

Asking him to give "his side of the story" could have potential advantages:

Defamation Act 2009 wrote:

(2) For the purposes of this section, the court shall, in determining whether it was fair and reasonable to publish the statement concerned, take into account such matters as the court considers relevant including any or all of the following:
...
(h) the extent to which the plaintiff’s version of events was represented in the publication concerned and given the same or similar prominence as was given to the statement concerned;
(i) if the plaintiff’s version of events was not so represented, the extent to which a reasonable attempt was made by the publisher to obtain and publish a response from that person; and

(This is why you see that sentence "Phone calls to Mr. Y's office seeking comment were not returned." in newspaper articles.)

As always, ask a solicitor if you want a proper answer.

IsaacWunder

teddyboy wrote: »

Good evening


I'm going to write a book about a man who did a lot of bad things in his interesting life. All the events are public knowledge as there was a court case and the man went to jail. The man is still alive and I know where he lives as i' 've meet him before

Can I write the book without his CONSENT ?

Can I keep all the profits?

Can I make a movie on the book?

Should I ask him to take part? He might not as he is working in a good job

Thanks

You're seriously asking (in a legal discussion forum of all places) whether you should cast a man who "did a lot of very bad things in his interesting life" in a thinly veiled parody movie of their life, but don't want to get their consent and you want to keep all the profits.

Can they act? :rolleyes:

teddyboy

the world wonders wrote: »

Asking him to give "his side of the story" could have potential advantages:
(This is why you see that sentence "Phone calls to Mr. Y's office seeking comment were not returned." in newspaper articles.)

As always, ask a solicitor if you want a proper answer.

Thank you just looking for an opinion no legal advice

He did the jail time in the USA. Does that make a difference?

teddyboy

IsaacWunder wrote: »

You're seriously asking (in a legal discussion forum of all places) whether you should cast a man who "did a lot of very bad things in his interesting life" in a thinly veiled parody movie of their life, but don't want to get their consent and you want to keep all the profits.

Can they act? :rolleyes:

Like the wolf of wall street. He did not act.

teddyboy

nuac wrote: »

You intend writing an unauthorised biography about a guy who has done some "bad things"?

Careful now. People can be sensitive

He won't kill me.

teddyboy

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

For the sake of the books quality I would think that getting him involved would add to the narrative. Otherwise you are not really creating something other than assembling information.

Yes, that would be the plan. however if refused I would still write the book as the information is public knowledge.

Pat Mustard

teddyboy wrote: »

Thank you just looking for an opinion no legal advice

He did the jail time in the USA. Does that make a difference?

Mod:

You have asked for legal advice and this is a further request for legal advice, here. Please don't ask for legal advice.