Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Washington

Is the adult child of a narcissistic family (brother) and parents (now deceased) able to publish the true stories of her childhood without being sued for defamation by said family?


Asked on 8/11/13, 6:50 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

John Whitaker Whitaker Law Group

Your question sort of sets up its own answer. If, as you allege, the stories that the child publishes are indeed true, then there can be no defamation liability as the truth is a defense to defamation. However, there are always shades of truth. If the child embellishes the stories for dramatic effect, say to sell books, then the truth will likely not be a defense.

But more importantly, there is absolutely nothing, not even death, which can guarantee that a person will not be sued. The only question we can answer here is after you have been sued, who is likely to win. Winning does not mean you weren't sued; it just means you spent an awful lot of money to prove you were right.

Read more
Answered on 8/12/13, 12:57 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Intellectual Property questions and answers in Washington