Thread: basing something on a true story

i guess you could say this is a two part question.

i have this idea that i've gotten recently that came from a true story i heard on T.V. somewhere. i was just wondering if i changed the names,places and times but kept the main story of it with little bits of elaboration, would i still have to get permission to use it if something came of it?



the second part is kind of the same question except it's a fictional idea based on something that happened in the news. well not a whole idea yet.

the headline went something like this on the local news here early in the morning one day.

a disabled man who lives in an apartment with his wife are awoken to the sound of robbers trying to break into a neighboring apartment. not sure of what they are hearing they go to investigate and are threatened with guns by four men. the man in the wheelchair however was able to defend him self,shooting one in the head with his own gun and causing the others to flee.

What you saw on TV and in the News are presentations of information both written by someone and they might recognize it as their stuff and sue.

I would say, as long as you use their storyline, you have to get the rights. If this is from local news or a local newspaper, it'll probably be easier to get a hold of the author who can give you the rights or steer you in the right direction.