Can I post a celebrity photo on my business website?

Question

I am a dog trainer. I have a picture with a celebrity ( Cesar Milan) that I would like to post on my website ( caption saying that he inspires me... ) The photo was taken by my camera at one of his seminars. Can I do this? is it legal?

Thanks!

Answer 1

You can't use their image without their consent.  Since they he is a celebrity, someone may interpret it as an endorsement.  You could be sued and forced into legal fees and forced to pay restitution.  You could contact his publicist, but I doubt you would get permission without compensation.

Answer 2

Do not do this without the express written permission of the celebrity. Money may also have to be paid.

You cannot use the picture of anybody in a business context without getting their permission, usually at a price.

Even if the person is gracious enough to grant permission without asking for money, you have to get his/her written permission (a lawyer needs to draft an agreement) and money must change hands, even a token dollar, so that it becomes an effective contract.

If you do not do this at the very beginniing, it will someday bite you in the ankle. Big time. You may have heard where somebody used a photo of his favorite movie star to publicize his business, and nothing was heard from the star for years ...then, one day, a legal letter came from a lawyer, asking for big bucks, plus a percentage of all the income from the very beginning of time, plus part ownership, plus no more photo use. Then the star's movie studio wrote a letter notifying the business of their intention to sue. Then the star's estranged wife wrote a letter demanding all the receipts of the business as part of her divorce settlement!

Answer 3

I wouldn't.  There is a good chance that it will interpreted as the celebrity endorsing the site for which he would be due royalties or some other compensation.  You would need a release from him to post.