Are there legal implications of using another person’s name or likeness on social media?

Yes, there are legal implications of using another person’s name or likeness on social media in the District of Columbia. Generally, it is against the law to use another person’s name or likeness without their permission. This is called “misappropriation” and it is prohibited under state and federal laws. The District of Columbia recognizes a specific misappropriation claim known as “right of publicity” or “publicity rights.” This is the right of an individual to control the commercial use of their name, image, likeness, or other identifying characteristics. This law provides the individual with a cause of action if their publicity right is violated. If a person or business uses another’s identity without permission, they can be held liable for damages. For example, if someone posts a photo of another person on social media without their permission, they may face a claim for damages. The affected person may be able to receive compensation for loss of reputation, emotional distress, or other losses caused by the misappropriation of their image on social media. Simply put, it is important to always get permission before using another person’s name or likeness on social media. This will help to prevent any legal action which may result from the violation of another person’s privacy rights.

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Are there legal implications of using another person’s name or likeness on social media?

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