{"id":353474,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:02","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/invasion-of-privacy-appropriation.html"},"modified":"2025-08-06T16:38:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T21:38:57","slug":"invasion-of-privacy-appropriation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/invasion-of-privacy-appropriation.html","title":{"rendered":"Invasion of Privacy: Appropriation of Name and Likeness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Invasion of Privacy: Appropriation of Name and Likeness<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Appropriation is using someone’s name or likeness for personal gain without their permission. This act violates that person’s privacy or publicity rights. If this happens to you, you can sue for unauthorized use of your name or appearance.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In a span of minutes, an appropriated photograph or video may go viral, exposing private moments to millions around the world. For better or worse, sometimes little is done to regulate content to prevent appropriation. After all, it is difficult to police the process of content creation and the use of private information.<\/p>\n

This issue can affect a lot of people, including:<\/p>\n