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

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In a nonprecedential opinion the Third Circuit held that the First Amendment insulates the makers of the video game Gears of War from a right of publicity claim.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

New York Reintroduces Much Improved Postmortem Right of Publicity Bill

new york legislature right of publicity bill

During its usual off-season, the New York legislature is revisiting its multi-year efforts to add new sections to its civil rights law and in particular to add a postmortem provision to state law. This latest version would add two sections to NY's...

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The Book

THE RIGHT OF PUBLICITY: Privacy Reimagined for a Public World

Now Available

Also available at Target and Walmart