QUESTION
Can I refuse to sign a release for when being mentioned in a book?
Asked on May 20th, 2016 on General Practice - Washington
More details to this question:
I was just notified that someone I know is writing an auto-biography and is writing about our relationship. He is using my first name and a description of me and our interactions. I'm not comfortable with this and want to know if I have to allow this. I don't want to be mentioned and want him to change the name and description. Do I have a say in that?
1 ANSWER
Nobody can force you to sign a release, but neither is it unlawful to write the truth about somebody (absent some sort of nondisclosure agreement, or privileged relationship, like an attorney revealing a client's confidence). It is possible that the publisher will not want to take a chance on publishing without a release, but it may. In that event, assuming that you have no agreement not to disclose and no privileged relationship with the writer, you would only have recourse if the writer made a false statement of fact about you.
Answered on May 23rd, 2016 at 12:44 PM