text: can a newspaper legally use your name or address without permission and if not are they liable for a lawsuit?   yes and no.  yes they can use your name in a story without your permission.  for instance if they got your name from a viable source like court records or public information roles.    no if they are citing you as the source of data or information and you did not give them permission.  however a law suit against them is going to cost you more then you would get back.  and you have to show you we're damaged in some way by the use of your name.  very hard to do; but not impossible.