Tag: Legislation

New York Once Again Floats Right of Publicity Law

The New York Assembly introduced yet another right of publicity bill last week, Assembly Bill A08155. Such legislation is introduced almost every year in New York―focused on trying to add a post-mortem right which currently does not exist under New York law. Thus far, these bills have all failed to proceed. This time may be...

Louisiana Right of Publicity Moves Forward

The proposed “Allen Toussaint Legacy Act” has passed another hurdle in the Louisiana legislature. The bill passed the House last week and was sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday. The Act is named after the famed New Orleans musician, songwriter and producer, who died in 2015. The proposed law provides individuals with a “property...

Arkansas Resurrects Right of Publicity Bill

The Arkansas legislature has reintroduced a right of publicity bill in the state after last year's bill was vetoed by its governor.  Governor Asa Hutchinson was concerned about the bill's limits on free speech.  Arkansas to date has only recognized a common law right of privacy and the tort of appropriation, tracking the Restatement (Second)...

Prince’s Death Sends Minnesota Legislature into Overdrive

Yesterday, the Minnesota legislature introduced a rushed bill to protect a right of publicity in that state and particularly to extend post-mortem rights in that state.  The bill came on the heels of the recent death on April 21st of the famous recording artist and composer Prince (aka Prince Rogers Nelson).  Prince apparently died without...

Some Wyoming Legislators Want to Resurrect Privacy Bill and Send to Voters

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports today that the Wyoming Legislature's Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivision Interim Committee voted to sponsor a bill that would allow voters to pass a privacy amendment to the state constitution.  Such an amendment was rejected by the state Senate in January of this year. The proposed amendment is very...

Alabama’s New Right of Publicity Statute Goes Into Effect and Threatens Free Speech

Alabama's Right of Publicity Act went into effect on August 1, 2015.  It is not yet clear what effect the law will have on the common law rights in the state.  Of most concern is the expansive language of the statute which includes both for-profit and non-profit uses of any indicia of identity.  Although the...

New York Introduces Post-Mortem Right Of Publicity Bill

In May of 2015, the New York Assembly and Senate both introduced bills that would add a post-mortem right of publicity to New York’s law.  The proposed term would be seventy years.  The bill provides a number of enumerated exceptions for expressive works, but it is still hotly contested.  It is currently under review by...

Wyoming Rejects Privacy Bill

On January 28, 2015 the Wyoming Senate rejected a pending bill that would have added privacy protections to the state constitution. Wyoming Committee Formal Draft 1.1., 15 LSO-0066 (2015)

Governor of Arkansas Vetoes Right of Publicity Statute

In the Spring of 2015, the Arkansas legislature passed a right of publicity statute . The legislation was proposed in response to concerns raised by the family of legendary University of Arkansas Coach Frank Broyles. They claimed that the current law inadequately protected him against the unauthorized use of his name and likeness.  Governor Asa...