Chapter 3- Avoiding Legal Hassles

coThe key points from Chapter 3 of Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques (6th Edition) are:

1.   Libel and Defamation

• libel- printed falsehood
• slander- (false) oral communication, such as a speech or a broadcast mention
• defamation- a collective term for libel/slander

2.   Invasion of Privacy

• treatment of employees with regard to employees
• PR writers are subject to litigation in regard to employees’ privacy in 5 areas (Employee newsletters, Photo releases, Product publicity and advertising, Media inquiries about employees, Employee blogs)

3.  Copyright Law

• A copyright under U.S. law protects original material for the life of the creator plus 70 years

4.  Trade Mark Law

• A trademark is a word, symbol, or slogan that identifies a product’s origin.

5. Regulatory Agencies

• SEC closely monitors the financial affairs of publicly traded companies and protects the interests of stockholders.
• FTC ensures that advertisements are not deceptive or misleading