Question
I am in the process of writing my first TV sit-com script. The main character is based on a person I know. Does anyone know if this could be a problem? I have changed their name but this person is known in my area and could be recognized by profession and character, although it is not strictly biographical of this person. I am asking because I notice many disclaimers appear in TV programs stating resemblance to persons living or dead is unintentional /coincidental etc. What is the reason for this and is it usual to have such a disclaimer even if the character is loosely based on a real person?
Answers: 1 public & 0 private
Lawsuits against possible defamation/slander, infringement of celebrity rights, invasion of privacy, ... there are many reasons for media to avoid legal entanglement with the rich and famous. Why not make a composite of multiple personalities so that it cannot be identified as a single person but use the historical facts for the docu-drama /sitcom.
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