An invasion of privacy can be considered a legal infringement when it is done without just cause. In such cases, the person who is invaded may file a lawsuit against the person responsible. However, public personages are usually not protected because they are already in the public eye, and their actions are considered newsworthy or of legitimate public interest. In such situations, the person who has been invaded can seek monetary damages. In addition to this, he or she may seek punitive damages.
Invasions of privacy law can arise from many different types of situations, and there are also some situations where overlapping or concurrent invasions may work to the plaintiff's disadvantage. In order to establish liability for an invasion of privacy, the defendant must intentionally intrude upon the plaintiff's privacy, and the interference must have a substantial effect on the person's life, private affairs, and concerns. If the intrusion is not a direct violation of the plaintiff's right to privacy, the defendant may still be held responsible.
While the right to privacy is an important principle, the legal limits are often complex and unachievable. Often, a plaintiff's cause of action must be based on the defendant's public disclosure of private facts, such as showing videotapes of a wedding. While the plaintiff may have a legitimate reason to be offended by this public disclosure, this does not necessarily make it an invasion of privacy. The defendant must also have substantial proof that the public dissemination was made with malicious intent.
Invasion of privacy law can arise from misappropriation of the name or image of a celebrity. Such an invasion can result from the commercial use of the celebrity's name or image. An invasion of privacy lawsuit may also arise from unauthorized use of the celebrity's image. The courts have ruled in favor of celebrities and other public figures. There are many other forms of invasion of privacy, including the use of a celebrity's image for non-commercial purposes.
The main difference between an invasion of privacy and an infringement of solitude is the type of intrusion that triggers a lawsuit. An invasion of privacy is either physical or electronic. A person may sue for invasion of privacy if another person breaks into her home and observes her undressing. A similar scenario would occur if a stranger eavesdrops on her conversation while she is working. Another example of invasion of privacy law is when a co-worker notices an employee taking pictures of her while she is on a road.
Invasions of privacy are a type of intentional tort. The perpetrator of an invasion of privacy may have a criminal record or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This can include stalking. An invasion of privacy law case may also arise from a breach of confidentiality. The perpetrator should have a reason for profiling the employee, such as the publication of confidential information. There is also an infringement of privacy when gossiping about the employee's credit report can result in a court case.
