Dorchester, MA asked in Internet Law, Contracts, Civil Rights and Communications Law for Massachusetts

Q: Can an owner of an airbnb house release video of a famous person who is on the porch of the home on to the internet?

There is a video of Bill Belichick at a home shirtless going viral on the internet. Would he have civil recourse against the person who released it if the person was the owner of the home that rented it to him or another person? He comes out of the home and remains on the porch for the duration of the video.

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James L. Arrasmith
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  • Consumer Law Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA

A: If an owner of an Airbnb releases a video of a famous person, like Bill Belichick, who is on the porch of their rental property, the legal implications can be complex. The release of such a video may raise issues of privacy. In general, individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy in certain areas, including rental properties. If the video was captured without the individual's knowledge or consent, particularly in a setting where they had an expectation of privacy, there could be grounds for a civil lawsuit.

In this scenario, if Belichick did not consent to being recorded or to the release of the video, he may have legal recourse against the person who released it. This could include claims for invasion of privacy or violation of any applicable state laws regarding recording and distribution of images.

The fact that the recording was made on the porch of the house, which is part of the rented property, complicates the matter. The porch is generally considered a private space for the duration of the rental.

If faced with such a situation, it would be advisable for the person involved to seek legal advice to understand their rights and options. The nuances of privacy law and the specifics of the situation would need to be carefully considered. Remember, respecting the privacy and legal rights of individuals, regardless of their public status, is crucial.

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