Actors

New York Right of Publicity Bill Resurrected Again

Once again as the New York legislature nears the end of its term for the year, the Assembly is trying to push through an ill-thought-out right of...

Reanimating Actors and the Dangers of a Transferable Right of Publicity

In "Only Robin Wright Should Own Robin Wright," I consider the...

The Book

THE RIGHT OF PUBLICITY: Privacy Reimagined for a Public World

This book from Harvard University Press by Professor Jennifer Rothman traces the history and development of the right of publicity and its current collision course with individual liberty, free speech and copyright law.

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Latest News & Commentary

New York Governor Signs New Postmortem Right of Publicity Bill

New York Postmortem Right of Publicity Bill Signed Governor Cuomo

On November 30th, 2020, the Governor of New York signed into law a new postmortem provision which for the first time will add a postmortem right to the state's law, lasting 40 years after death. This new law also addresses the unlawful dissemination...

The Third Circuit Upholds First Amendment Defense in Video Game Case

hamilton speight right of publicity first amendment gears of war third circuit

In a nonprecedential opinion the Third Circuit held that the First Amendment insulates the makers of the video game Gears of War from a right of publicity claim. The case, Hamilton v. Speight, involves a right of publicity claim...

50 Cent's Right of Publicity Claim Preempted by Copyright Law

50 cent right of publicity rick ross renzel remix copyright preemption

Earlier this week, the Second Circuit, in an opinion penned by Judge Pierre Leval, held that a right of publicity claim by rap artist Curtis James Jackson III, better known as 50 Cent, was preempted by federal copyright law.
The claim was brought...

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The Book

THE RIGHT OF PUBLICITY: Privacy Reimagined for a Public World

Now Available

Also available at Target and Walmart