| Author | Message | 
| MyJessieCat Member
 
 Joined: 14 Jul 2008
 Posts: 13
 
 | # Posted: 17 Nov 2008 18:07 Reply
 
 Does anyone know if you can legally use someones name on your website?  I will be making money from my website so thats why I am asking.
 
 Thanks alot
 
 
 
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| Newbie Shield 
   Joined: 22 Sep 2007
 Posts: 1692
 
 | # Posted: 17 Nov 2008 20:06 Reply
 
 MyJessieCat,
 
 It depends upon how you use it. For example, there is nothing wrong with mentioning something like "Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft".
 
 You have to be careful about legal issues such as slander or misrepresentation.
 
 ~Newbie Shield~
 
 
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| BlueIce Member
 
 Joined: 14 Oct 2008
 Posts: 23
 
 | # Posted: 17 Nov 2008 20:23 Reply
 
 Yes just be careful how you use it, in general it's fine though.
 
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| getagrip 
   Joined: 20 Feb 2006
 Posts: 1597
 
 | # Posted: 17 Nov 2008 20:27 Reply
 
 If you have any doubts, you can just email the person who's name you want to use and you can ask them for permission.  If you are promoting that person's product, however, usually you won't have to worry about it, but you never know...
 
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| pcwork Member
 
 Joined: 12 Aug 2006
 Posts: 1630
 
 | # Posted: 17 Nov 2008 21:07 Reply
 
 Depends on how you use the name on the website
 
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| MyJessieCat Member
 
 Joined: 14 Jul 2008
 Posts: 13
 
 | # Posted: 18 Nov 2008 17:04 Reply
 
 Hi all, Thanks for the advice.  Its not a persons product but someone I know personally so maybe asking permission may be what I need to do.
 
 Thanks a bunch!
 
 
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| Victoria Member
 
 Joined: 13 Jul 2008
 Posts: 2
 
 | # Posted: 27 Feb 2009 16:19 Reply
 
 The right of publicity is generally defined as an individual's right to control and profit from the commercial use of his/her name, likeness and persona, which shall be referred to in this article as the "individual's identity". Protecting the individual from the loss of commercial value resulting from the unauthorized appropriation of an individual's identity for commercial purposes is the principle purpose of this body of law.
 
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| David Member
 
 Joined: 22 Jul 2008
 Posts: 23
 
 | # Posted: 3 Mar 2009 16:42 Reply
 
 If you know them personally then I am sure they would appreciate the courtesy of being asked permission beforehand.
 
 David
 
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| annettejones Member
 
 Joined: 3 Apr 2009
 Posts: 13
 
 | # Posted: 9 Apr 2009 15:25 Reply
 
 If you know the person personally then it solves a lot of issues. Just simply ask them for their permission.
 
 If you are using someone's name whom you do not know, first make sure you give them credit if you are using their quotes, product reviews etc. Also make sure you do not misrepresent them in any way - like your readers should not get the idea that they are endorsing your website personally etc.
 
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