Q: Entertainment law: need advice for True story
I am writing a book about a true crime story. Some details were published and newspapers and I have details that come specifically from the people who experienced it, including notes of actual conversations and emails. What changes do I need to make to protect myself legally from slander or related liability issues? Thanks in advance
A:
It is not really possible to catalog all the types of things that can be said and how to change the things that cannot be said. Each one needs to be reviewed in context. Changes involve legal judgments. The one true crime writer I am personally acquainted with is an attorney.
One way to look at the situation is to balance how much money you can make from publishing the book against how much money you can lose if you get sued. Even if you "win" the suit you can lose a great deal of money. Comparing how many dollars you might lose to the number of dollars you might pay for an attorney's review might inform a business decision as to seeking legal review.
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