What is the name of your state? California
I am a graphic designer, and I used several pictures of real people (including my own) in a print ad that went into the Yellow Pages. Because the pictures were small (less than 1" square) and did not include names - I didn't think it was a big deal, and consequently did not think to ask for permission. One of the people saw it ( a close friend of 30 years), and was furious. He is now suing me, the merchant I did the add for (a bail bondsmen - thus the anger), and the phone company who published the book. Truth be known, I am very sorry for this lapse of judgment - and there was no malice on my part.
Prior to being sued - in an attempt to repair a friendship that is important to me - I sent him an apology letter, more or less copping to a serious lack of judgment, ant expressing regret that I had betrayed his trust and damaged our friendship. The ad has since been pulled, never to be used again - but I can't unring the bell, as it were. I find it hard to believe there have been any real damages (loss of job, loss of, say, a coaching position on his kids teams, etc).
I guess my question is - what can the damages be? Please don't freak me out with worst case scenarios if possible - I'm thinking of realistic damages for such a thing. I'm a sole proprietor, work out of my home, am not incorporated and have no business insurance.What is the name of your state?
I am a graphic designer, and I used several pictures of real people (including my own) in a print ad that went into the Yellow Pages. Because the pictures were small (less than 1" square) and did not include names - I didn't think it was a big deal, and consequently did not think to ask for permission. One of the people saw it ( a close friend of 30 years), and was furious. He is now suing me, the merchant I did the add for (a bail bondsmen - thus the anger), and the phone company who published the book. Truth be known, I am very sorry for this lapse of judgment - and there was no malice on my part.
Prior to being sued - in an attempt to repair a friendship that is important to me - I sent him an apology letter, more or less copping to a serious lack of judgment, ant expressing regret that I had betrayed his trust and damaged our friendship. The ad has since been pulled, never to be used again - but I can't unring the bell, as it were. I find it hard to believe there have been any real damages (loss of job, loss of, say, a coaching position on his kids teams, etc).
I guess my question is - what can the damages be? Please don't freak me out with worst case scenarios if possible - I'm thinking of realistic damages for such a thing. I'm a sole proprietor, work out of my home, am not incorporated and have no business insurance.What is the name of your state?
