[Solved] Need help on IRL name usage

[Lysander_Works]

I recently made a thread about starting a non-fiction project. Basically, a majority of the content will begin with an initial report (one made in real life), and as such, it will often involve full names of certain individuals, especially if some are more popular.
Initially, I had thought to assign pseudonyms and such, mainly because, I just don't want to even tempt the idea of breaking any rules. That said, some of the cases to be included are famous enough that the mere mention of its google search will lead to these names/contacts/other case details anyway. So, I'm a little perplexed as to what I should do.

Do I just say screw it and mention everybody - since, it's already very public anyway?
Or, do I reassign names, which may cause initial confusion if people try to line-up cross checking, provided sources used?

Naturally, I favor whatever will get me into less trouble.
And yes, I know other sites might be a bit more tapered to this kind of thing, but I'm not quite ready to use them just yet.

 

[Dieter]

Use Initials.

 

[Justhetip...]

I recently made a thread about starting a non-fiction project. Basically, a majority of the content will begin with an initial report (one made in real life), and as such, it will often involve full names of certain individuals, especially if some are more popular.
Initially, I had thought to assign pseudonyms and such, mainly because, I just don't want to even tempt the idea of breaking any rules. That said, some of the cases to be included are famous enough that the mere mention of its google search will lead to these names/contacts/other case details anyway. So, I'm a little perplexed as to what I should do.

Do I just say screw it and mention everybody - since, it's already very public anyway?
Or, do I reassign names, which may cause initial confusion if people try to line-up cross checking, provided sources used?

Naturally, I favor whatever will get me into less trouble.
And yes, I know other sites might be a bit more tapered to this kind of thing, but I'm not quite ready to use them just yet.

I know little to nothing about nonfiction, but I think it depends on the contents of the report you're writing, and the potential audience of this report.

If you can be sued for the content, or it might be offensive in any way, I think you can allude to the individuals by only adding the initials, or just straight up making it pseudonyms, but describing them enough that the reader knows who you're referring to, and adding a footnote that you won't be using their real names for certain reasons.

But I think it only works if you target audience is at least familiar enough with these people that your report can make them go "Ah, so that's who he's talking about.", or if they're able to identify the people after a little research/cross-check, provided there are resources to do so.

And if your audience is going in blind and unaware, then just use the names, again, if it won't cause you any trouble.

 

[Sagefox]

I would be safe and use initials or aliases.
From my experience in writing reports or case studies, it's best to preserve the anonymity of the people involved. Otherwise, if they find out you publicized a report about them and their past history, especially if it's private or at least medical, and they didn't consent, then they could get back at you for it, leading to a court case.

 

[AmbreaTaddy]

What I do in my story, is tweak the names ever so slightly that you know exactly who I am refering to. Exemple :

Instagram : Instantgram
YouTube : MyTube
Twitter : Bluebird

Same with people :

Mylène Farmer : Manon Sarmer
Christophe Maé : Maëlys Christophe

With the description that matches to their real selves. So if you do a bit of research, you know exactly who I am talking about, but the name is not the same so I can be more free in my depicition and not worry

 

[CharlesEBrown]

If you're going to use real people - contact them or their estate for permission. They may even suggest other names to use (or you may find out the easily searchable stuff IS an alias).

 

[Lysander_Works]

@Dieter @CharlesEBrown @Justhetip... @Sagefox
Thanks for the replies. Looks like the best option is the use of Initials, since it isn't provable on legal paper while obvious enough for audience to follow along. It's the option in between that I didn't think of (and should have).

Yes, it is curiously something that I will be expecting a bit of backlash on, primarily for the reason that I'm clashing a bit of paranormal mystery with a scientific scope (so a bit of debunking will happen too). Can't imagine some die-hard poltergeist fanatics will be too happy about it, assuming this winds up being viewed enough in the first place. Since it will also involve (in some cases) individuals' claims being challenged, oh, it is possible to tread on dangerous territory; this much is assumed. Wasn't sure if it was too possible given some familiarity with some cases, but I'd rather not taunt the den of lawyers in the first place.

Initials wins the vote.