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

U. S. Copyright Office Considers a Federal Right of Publicity

copyright office right of publicity privacy moral rights report seal

In a report issued on April 23rd by the Register of Copyrights, the U.S. Copyright Office suggests that the lack of uniformity in state right of publicity laws may require Congressional intervention.
The call for Congress to consider such a right...

Olivia de Havilland's Cert. Petition Denied by U.S. Supreme Court

Today, the United States Supreme Court denied review of the California Court of Appeal decision in De Havilland v. FX Networks. This leaves in place the California appellate court's strong decision holding that the First Amendment bars...

Emotional Distress Award Affirmed for Model in California

john olive GNC right of publicity lawsuit

The California Court of Appeal affirmed a more than $1 million jury award for a model and actor in a right of publicity lawsuit against GNC (General Nutrition Centers). The actor and model Jason Olive sued when GNC used his likeness in an...

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The Book

THE RIGHT OF PUBLICITY: Privacy Reimagined for a Public World

Now Available

Also available at Target and Walmart