Neff v. Time, Inc.
United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
406 F. Supp. 858 (1976)
Neff (plaintiff) was photographed with other fans at a Pittsburgh Steelers game for a book about Steelers fans; he knew he was being photographed, posed, and never objected. Sports Illustrated, published by Time, Inc. (defendant), ran an excerpt of the book with three photos, one showing Neff with his fly down, under the title "A Strange Kind of Love"; the article did not name Neff. Neff sued for appropriation of his likeness, claiming the photo embarrassed him, and Time moved for summary judgment.
Whether an individual who publishes another person's name or likeness for his own benefit without permission can be liable for unreasonable invasion of privacy.