QUESTION
If someone publishes a book with your full name and your life story in it without your permission, it that illegal?
Asked on Dec 13th, 2013 on Intellectual Property - Florida
More details to this question:
This happened to my friend. The publisher was her friend at one point and he even has a crush on her. But now she's embarrassed by what is published and it can ruin her professional career.
1 ANSWER
Intellectual Property Attorney serving Manchester, NH
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Why did he do it? If it was done maliciously, this could fall under Florida Identity Theft laws. California recently used similar laws to take down a revenge porn site. See: http://archive.flsenate.gov/Statutes/Index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0800-0899%2f0817%2fSections%2f0817.568.html
Otherwise, she may want to rely on "right of publicity laws", such as: http://rightofpublicity.com/statutes/florida
I am not admitted in Florida and I cannot analyze her situation relative to Florida state law.The next step is to contact an attorney in Florida who would be willing to represent her on either or both of these issues.
Good luck,
Todd
Answered on Dec 13th, 2013 at 2:35 PM