When writing an auto-bio - do I HAVE to ask for EVERYONE mentioned in the book permission?

Or is there a way around it?

Thing is some characters are shady, nasty and horrible and I would never ask their permission to use their names in the book because they would never agree - I would be airing their dirty laundry and exposing them to the rest of the world, where as they would rather remain scummy law breaking losers and be hidden from spot light.

I was going to simply change names around so none could be identified but would that be good enough?

I thought perhaps I would use my real name in the book as my real name is extremely unique and catchy and everyon else could have fake names to hide identities - by the time I finish the book there would have been many characters whose identity would need to remain anonymous so I figured I could give everyone different names -which I know can be done..

It is a tricky situation and I dont know much about it. How can I tell my story - which is yearning to be told and still protect all the bad guys reputations?

When writing an auto-bio - do I HAVE to ask for EVERYONE mentioned in the book permission?husqvarna

I think you want to protect yourself from the "law breaking scum" by burying their identities very well, ESPECIALLY if you are going to use your own name, call it an autobiography, etc. 'Cause they'll know who they are, and sue you if at all possible, being the scum that they are. Folks are very litigious concerning their reputations and a possible way to make money.