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Is using my name and picture for promotion without approval legal?

Is using my name and picture for promotion without approval legal?

Q: Can a company use a photo of me without my permission?

Generally, a company cannot use a photo of you without your permission, especially for commercial purposes. This is protected under the right of publicity, which gives you control over how your likeness is used. There are exceptions, such as newsworthy events, but consent is typically required for promotional use.

Q: What is it called when someone uses your picture without permission?

When someone uses your picture without permission, it is often referred to as appropriation or infringement of your right of publicity. This legal concept protects individuals from unauthorized commercial use of their likeness, ensuring that you have control over how your image is used.

Q: What is it called when a company uses your picture without permission?

When a company uses your picture without permission, it is called appropriation of your likeness. This is a violation of your right of publicity, which allows you to control and profit from the commercial use of your image. Legal action can be taken if this occurs without consent.

Full question:

An agency had used my name and picture without my approval to promote a trip to another city, is this legal??

Category: Civil Rights
Subcategory: Privacy
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Georgia

Answer:

The tort of appropriation involves using a person's name or likeness for someone else's economic gain without permission. This area of invasion of privacy law protects an individual's right to control commercial use of their identity. It emphasizes the property right of individuals to benefit from their own name or image.

This right, often called the right of publicity, allows individuals to regulate and profit from the commercial use of their name, likeness, and other identifying traits. However, there are exceptions, such as when the information is part of newsworthy events or matters of public interest, or if consent for publicity was given. Additionally, the right of privacy does not apply to corporations.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Can I sue if a company uses my photo to promote their business?

Yes, you can sue if a company uses your photo for promotional purposes without your permission. This falls under the tort of appropriation, which protects your right to control the commercial use of your likeness. If you can prove that the company used your image for economic gain without consent, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.