Tag: Post-Mortem Rights

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...

The Eleventh Circuit Allows Use of Rosa Parks’ Name and Image on Merchandise

Today, the Eleventh Circuit rejected a lawsuit by the Rosa Parks Institute—which owns the rights to the deceased Park’s name and likeness. The case involved the Target retail chain’s selling of books, and a movie about Rosa Parks, as well as a commemorative plaque that contained her and Martin Luther King’s images, an inspirational quote...

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...