The book legal disclaimer examples below are provided as a guide to familiarize you with the legalities of publishing books. Since I’m not an attorney, be sure to check with one before posting any book disclaimers.
You are reading: Legal disclaimer examples for books
Now, while fiction books require very few legal disclaimers, non-fiction books are an entirely different story.
Depending on the subject of your book, you may be writing in areas that are subject to strict regulatory guidelines for disclosure and therefore you will need to retain the services of an attorney to create book disclaimers that minimize the chances of being sued by those regulatory agencies.
For example, if you created a system that allows you to lose 20 lbs. In 30 days, you’ve used this system successfully on yourself and 20 other clients and have the testimonials to back it up, the ftc still won’t let you claim that those results are typical and achievable by the average reader.
The same applies to investment advice and the SEC rules on disclosure.
Just be sure to hire an attorney to draft your nonfiction book disclaimer so you’re well protected.
book disclaimer examples for fiction and non-fiction titles
Legal disclaimers for fiction books are pretty straightforward. all you need to establish is that any resemblance to people and events is purely coincidental. this can be achieved with a disclaimer that is short and to the point (see the first example below).
However, legal disclaimers for nonfiction books are much more complicated, depending on the subject.
For example, books on investment matters will need to comply with SEC disclosure rules, and books that promote a specific set of results (for example, losing x pounds in y time), will need to comply with SEC disclaimers. the FTC’s typical liability that requires you to disclose average or expected results, as well as the FTC’s guidelines on the use of testimonial endorsements.
With these caveats out of the way, let’s look at some sample disclaimers:
example of a legal disclaimer for a fiction book
This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise noted, all names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents in this book are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental.
example of a legal disclaimer for a nonfiction book on health (eg, weight loss, disease management, alternative medicine, etc.)
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The publisher and author provide this book and its content “as is” and make no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to this book or its content. The publisher and author disclaim all representations and warranties, including, but not limited to, warranties of medical care for a particular purpose. furthermore, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any other inconsistencies in this document.
The contents of this book are for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. You understand that this book is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with a licensed professional. please consult with your own physician or health specialist regarding the suggestions and recommendations made in this book. Use of this book constitutes your acceptance of this disclaimer.
The publisher and author make no guarantees about the level of success you may experience by following the advice and strategies contained in this book, and you accept the risk that results will differ for each individual. The testimonials and examples provided in this book show exceptional results, which may not apply to the average reader, and are not intended to represent or guarantee that you will achieve the same or similar results.
example of a legal disclaimer for a fitness non-fiction book
The publisher and author strongly recommend that you consult with your physician before beginning any exercise program. You must be in good physical condition and be able to participate in the exercise. the author is not a licensed health care provider and represents that he has no experience in diagnosing, testing, or treating medical conditions of any kind, or in determining the effect of any specific exercise on a medical condition.
You should understand that when participating in any exercise or exercise program, the possibility of physical injury exists. if you participate in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, you voluntarily participate in these activities, you assume all risk of injury to yourself, and you agree to release the publisher and author from any and all claims or causes of action, known or unknown, arising from the contents of this book.
The publisher and author advise you to take full responsibility for your safety and know your limits. Before practicing the skills described in this book, make sure your equipment is well maintained and you are not taking risks beyond your level of experience, aptitude, training, and comfort level.
example of a legal disclaimer for a nonfiction book about money (eg, money management, investing, debt management, etc.)
The information provided in this book is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a source of credit advice or analysis regarding the material presented. The information and/or documents contained in this book do not constitute legal or financial advice and should never be used without first consulting a financial professional to determine what may be best for your individual needs.
The publisher and the author make no warranties or other promises as to the results that may be obtained from the use of the contents of this book. You should never make any investment decision without first consulting your own financial advisor and conducting your own research and due diligence. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the publisher and author disclaim all liability should any information, comment, analysis, opinion, advice, and/or recommendation contained in this book prove to be inaccurate, incomplete, or unreliable, or result in any investment or other losses.
The content included in or made available through this book is not intended to and does not constitute legal advice or investment advice and an attorney-client relationship is not formed. the publisher and the author provide this book and its contents “as is”. your use of the information contained in this book is at your own risk.
example of a legal disclaimer for a nonfiction book on psychology (eg, psychology, relationships, self-help, etc.)
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While the publisher and author have done their best to ensure that the information in this book was correct at the time of publication, and while this publication is designed to provide accurate information regarding its subject matter, the publisher and The author assumes no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any other inconsistencies in this document and hereby disclaims any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or interruption caused by errors or omissions, whether or not such errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.
This publication is intended to be a valuable source of information for the reader, however, it is not intended to be a substitute for direct expert assistance. if such a level of assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
next steps
Now you have a good idea about the role legal notices play in the book trade.
This is an area where it’s better to be safe than sorry: if your distribution and promotion are limited and your book doesn’t reach a wide audience, your risk will be somewhat mitigated.
But if your book takes off in the marketplace and reaches wide distribution (hooray!), you’ll need to be protected, and the cost of a lawyer early in the publishing process will be a worthwhile investment.
If you enjoyed this article and are in the process of publishing a nonfiction book, be sure to check out my free nonfiction success guide, drawn from years of experience editing books for older authors. sellouts (including a New York Times bestseller) and ghostwriting for CEOs and politicians. just click here for instant access.
ben
Leave me a comment below if you have any questions or a specific need I can help address: I operate an authoring services company that specializes in helping entrepreneurs, professionals, and business owners who They want to publish books as a business card for prospects, to establish their status as experts, or simply to generate additional leads for their business.
here are some related posts i recommend:
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the 10 must-have writing skills for nonfiction authors
the 7 key rules for outstanding non-fiction writers
learn 10 powerful writing habits to speed up your nonfiction book
Bennett R. Coles is an award-winning author of six books published through Harper Collins (New York) and Titan Publishing Group (London). He is also the publisher at Promontory Press, editor for multiple bestselling authors (including a NY Times bestseller), ghostwriter for CEOs and politicians and the founder of Cascadia Author Services, a boutique full-service firm that specializes in premium author services specifically designed for busy professionals. Our end-to-end services include writer coaching, ghostwriting, editing, proofing, cover design, book layout, eBook production, printing, distribution and marketing.
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