If I’m writing about someone in a book, can I have them sign a defamation waiver prior to publication to protect me?
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If I’m writing about someone in a book, can I have them sign a defamation waiver prior to publication to protect me?
Some of the things in my book are not exactly shining a spectacular light on these people, and while I know it would be a long shot to get them to sign off on it, if they did, would a defamation waiver work/hold up in court if they ever changed their minds and wanted to sue me?
Asked on June 24, 2011 under Personal Injury, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
People can contractually waive their rights to sue, so a waiver could protect you, in the event you could get someone to sign it. However, a key issue, if the person ever tried to litigate notwithstanding the waiver, would be whether his signing was effective under the circumstances. If you did not accurately disclose to him what the contents of the book and its representation of him would be, or worse, actively lead him to believe that it would be neutral at worst or even favorable to him--and then it wasn't--he may be able to void the waiver on the grounds it was not a knowing waiver of his rights (and/or that you committed fraud to get him to sign). Even if you can't disclose all the particulars of what you'd write, you need to be upfront that you are not promising to depict the person in any particular way and that the depiction might be one he finds unflattering--and make sure the waiver itself says that, too.
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