How can fictional works present unflattering portrayals of
living people without legal comeback? November 5, 2008 11:45 AM
 Subscribe  Recent dramas have used (without ambiguity) the name
and image of real living figures and events in fiction and film.
How this is legally possible? Is it covered by Fair Use?  I have
searched as well as I can on the internet and previous posts,
but can't find a succinct or clear answer. I understand that the
relevant laws vary internationally, but I'm confused about some
recent dramas that include real, living historical (and
presumably litigious) figures, not in an entirely flattering
light, though clearly avoiding libellous portrayal. How are
writers able to do this? I'm thinking of W., Frost/Nixon, The
Queen, even the Tom Cruise "cameo" in American Psycho (the
novel). Fair use (for parody or satire) doesn't seem to apply to
these. How does it work legally? posted by Hugobaron to media &
arts (17 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite It's
not "fair use" because f