Right of Publicity legislation gives individuals the legal right to control and profit from the commercial use of their name, image, voice, likeness or other identifiable attributes. It aims to prevent unauthorized use in advertising, merchandising or entertainment. Amid rising Al-generated deepfakes and digital impersonations in political ads and media, lawmakers are revisiting these protections to keep pace with evolving technologies. While meant to safeguard identity and economic interests, these laws also raise First Amendment concerns, especially in cases of parody, satire or political commentary. Protections vary by state, including posthumous rights.
