Here some ideas. You could be sued, but what is equally bad is that they might take revenge in some other way, everybody has a weak spot, and they can find it. Why would you want to hurt these people anyway, time has passed. The best revenge is to not mention them at all, especially for big egos being ignored is the worse punishment. As long as you write about facts, they can’t sue, e.g. this guy fired me may be fine (if factually 100% true), but he seduced my boyfriend is tricky (it may be true, but hard to proof /disproof). You may consider changing all the names, places etc, and turn it into a book of fiction.
If it’s true, and you’re in the US, you’ll be fine. If it’s not true, and they can prove it, they can sue for libel.
Anyone can sue anyone else for anything…
I could sue you for having anal sex with my night stand… I would lose since you didnt(I hope) and that’s not illegal but I could sue you for it…
I can’t wait for the discovery phase of that lawsuit
This night stand looks like a Jackson Pollock!
Your night stand has an anus?
Look… The other night I was drunk and mistakes were made
Depends on the laws in your country, where I live we can’t even mention the name and crimes of convicted pedos on social media.
where I live we can’t even mention the name and crimes of convicted pedos on social media
That’s lame as fuck
In many civilized countries the names of criminals are not published, the reason is to protect family (especially offspring, spouse) from harassment by the press and overeager civilians. Several studies showed this does work.
It also stops them from getting attention, and dissuades people who might commit similar crimes for the notoriety.
Isn’t that ethical?
Ask for professional legal help, randoms online can’t help you with this. The answer is highly nuanced and depends on the specific manner in which you have things phrased.
You did just help, though.
Ironic.
If they sue you for spreading lies about them, consider who would win. Probably discuss with a lawyer and tell them the specific cases you want to write about.
It isn’t even necessarily a question of who’d win.
You can tell the absolute truth and technically “win” all the defamation lawsuits you want, and still lose.
There are anti-slapp laws to help with this, but they aren’t always used appropriately.
and sometimes, they still are used appropriately, and still end up with a ruined life.
if the other side has fuck-you money and you don’t have fuck-you money, guess what their strategy is going to be?
Instead of a memoir, why not make it “fictional”? Change the names, slap on a boilerplate “any resemblance to actual persons or events is coincidental” disclaimer, call it a day.
IANAL, not legal advice, etc.
That’s not actually a solid defense as “fictional” characters that are obviously someone that exists can still be ruled libel. A common informal defense is to give the fictional person a small penis. It doesn’t change anything legally, but it does require someone suing you to admit in court that they have a small penis.
people mentioned are still alive
Well, you know what you have to do…
(this is not legal advice etc etc)
Skynet can take out their creators, I’m just following their lead
Sorry mom, nothing personal
/j
It’s only libel if it’s false. In the US at least
Anyone could sue you. Do you have money to pay for a lawyer?
Also, a publishing firm would know the series risks with this
Oh fuck… now thinking of the money thing… my mom definitely has the money to sue the fuck out of me, and then I’d definitely get disinherited then my brother is gonna be their heir and he’d also have the funds to sue me… so I’d be fucked…
hmm maybe I’ll wait till parents are dead first lol, then I’m pissing on their grave
Until the you could still work on it. Could be cathartic.
Can I piss on their grave too? I don’t know your mom. I just know I’ll probably have to pee at some point after she dies.
I too, choose to pee on this guys mom
's grave (?)
It depends on where you publish it: In the United States, the truth is a complete defense to libel suits, so you wouldn’t get in any trouble. This, of course, assumes that you can prove the contents of the book and have not signed any NDAs that would prohibit such a book.
As long as what you publish is truthful and they don’t suffer any actual damages, you should be fine.
But as always ask a lawyer.
As long as what you publish is truthful and they don’t suffer any actual damages,
you should be fineit’s not illegal.
If the people you write about are rich and influential, it doesn’t have to be illegal for them to ruin you in court.That’s true, and should absolutely talked about with the publisher of one ever take OP on
If you publish it anonymously, then none at all… well unless it goes super popular and it’s specific enough they can tell it’s you.
If I ever publish something like that I’d call it “I’m burning bridges, bitches!”
