Will celebrity sue me?

Question: Will celebrity sue me!?

So I wrote this book and publisher most probably will publish cuz they did my 1st book!. So I drew a cover cuz I don't like the cover the publisher did on 1st book!. I took the face of this celebrity from the internet and changed her colouring and hairstyle (using Paintbrush) and put her on the cover representing one of the characters in the book!. If she recognises her face, can she sue!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I don't know if she will sue you, but she'll certainly have legal grounds to sue you!. If you don't like the cover the publisher made, then find a friend who's into art, and ask them to make some covers for you, and pick the one that you like best!. As an artist, they'd probably be thrilled to be asked to make a book cover!. If you show them your original drawing of the celebrity, they can probably make something extremely similar that wouldn't have any legal issues attached!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Your publisher lets you create your own cover art in Paintbrush!? I'll go out on a limb and guess that your publisher is a vanity press!.

You didn't like the cover on the first book because the publisher doesn't want to pay a cover artist any more than you do, and it doesn't help sales because nobody buys the books they publish anyway!.

Your chance of your being sued is directly related to the chance of your theft being noticed, and with a vanity press that chance is pretty small!. But even then the celebrity's lawyers will go after the publisher, not after you!. Let your publisher know what you've done, and let them decide whether they want to run the risk!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If this celebrity has a certain trademark physical feature--like an unique tattoo or signature hot-pink pigtails--maybe!. This one singer once sued Sega, accussing them of stealing her look for the character "Ulala" (Ulala had the same knee-high boots, short skirt and pink ponytails)!.

But I don't think you have to worry if it's just a facial similarity!. There are a lot of people who look similar!. The celebrity may still sue you, but she wouldn't have much of a case to win if your book has the "Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental and not intended by the author" inscription in black and white!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I would like to see the first book; how did you publish one book without learning something about the laws!? How many copies did it sell, who was the publisher!? !.Why would they not question where your new art work came from!? I think even Harlequin is more careful than that!. I don't mean to be rude or question your integrity but your story has some holes in it!. Frankly, your question was not written by a "seasoned writer!."Www@QuestionHome@Com

If she finds out, and the likeness is close enough, she most definitely can sue you!. And if you are using a bona fide publishing company (not a vanity press) chances are that your publisher will not use your art, as they would be included in any lawsuit by the celebrity!. A bona fide publisher is particularly careful about this sort of thing!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

yeah, i agree w/ 1st person!. we'll try and guess who it is!. But, ask ur self some questions!.

is this a famous/iconic picture of the celeb!?

did you change her pic 2 make her look bad or unflattering!?

R we talking about a usually mellow celeb, or a beotch!?

how much did u photoshop!?

Good luck, i hope she doesn't sue u!!!!!

LillianWww@QuestionHome@Com

YES!. you have to contact the celebrity and ask them for permission to use thier picture, because they should actually be getting paid for you doing that!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

yeah!.
she can

lol

that probably wasn't the best idea
you need permission to use someone elses face, even on the cover of a book

what's the book called!?
i'm curious!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

"Cuz"

I bet this books a page turner!.
And of course, "this celebrity" will probably want to collect some royalties!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Your publisher will most likely go with an illustrator they contracted with rather than your drawing!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You could ask permission which would show your courtesy - so far noticable by it′s absence!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Will you put up a link to a picture of the front cover!? I want to see if I can tell who it is!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

post a link to the image!.Www@QuestionHome@Com