Using celebrity connections to sell an item made by a friend of the celebrity..

[2011centralvic]

I have what I think is a collectible.  The maker was a good friend of a US celebrity from the 1960s and I have a pic of them together. Can I use the celebrity status; IE: his name, and pic in my add in order to target another type of buyer.?  IE: a 'so and so' collectible just because the celebrity new the maker..?  Is this illegal and/or audacious and subject to any unpleasant legal repercussions...?  

[shypansy · Accepted solution]

I would imagine it depends on what type of item it is, and the fact the maker knew someone of notoriety does not make the item collectable, is the maker known in their own right?  if you use a photo of the maker with a celebrity, what actually does that have to do with the item?  I would assume to use a photo of anyone publicly it would be advisable to have their permission, especially if they are financially able to take you to court if they are offended by you using their image for your own gain. 

If the item belongs to you, you can do with it as you please, but I would be very careful before proceeding to use someone elses identity to promote the sale.