Rhode Island

Plaintiffs in Sex Trafficking case Lose First Round in Right of Publicity Claim Against Backpage

A case involving the use of Backpage to facilitate sex trafficking and prostitution and privacy-based misappropriation claims under Rhode Island and Massachusetts laws was rejected by a Massachusetts district court on May 15, 2015 and is now pending appeal in the First Circuit.

Doe ex...

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

Mixed Victory for Jackson Estate in Tax Court

michael jackson estate right of publicity right of privacy tax litigation irs tax court decision publicity name and likeness rights

On May 3rd, the U.S. Tax Court issued the long-awaited decision in the long-running litigation over the estate taxes owed by the Michael Jackson estate. In a sweeping 253-page opinion (with additional appendices) the Tax Court, clearly cognizant...

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In a nonprecedential opinion the Third Circuit held that the First Amendment insulates the makers of the video game Gears of War from a right of publicity claim.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...

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The Book

THE RIGHT OF PUBLICITY: Privacy Reimagined for a Public World

Now Available

Also available at Target and Walmart