NO FAKES Reintroduced with More Protections for Libraries and Researchers

The NO FAKES Act would establish a federal intellectual property right tied to an individual’s voice and visual likeness. The right would allow the individual to authorize use of the voice or likeness in digital replicas and other products or services. The right would not be assignable during the individual’s lifetime, but it would be licensable. After the individual’s death, the right could be transferred or licensed, and it would last no longer than 70 years after death. The bill includes a counter-notification process to challenge alleged violations and adds exclusions for libraries and research institutions. The bill is sponsored by bipartisan members in both the Senate and the House and was first introduced in earlier forms beginning in 2023.

"The bill would grant the "right to authorize the use of the voice or visual likeness of the individual" in digital replicas or other product or service, and would not be assignable during the life of the right holder but is licensable. Upon the death of the individual, the right is transferable or licensable and would terminate no longer than 70 years after the death of the right holder."

"The latest version includes several revisions, such as a "counter-notification" procedure to challenge notifications of violations, and additional exclusions for libraries and research institutions."

"A bipartisan, bicameral group of Congress members today reintroduced the " Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act of 2026 " (NO FAKES Act), a bill that would create a federal IP right to an individual's voice and likeness."

"The bill was originally introduced by Coons, Blackburn, Klobuchar and Tillis in the Senate, and two months later it was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Salazar, Dean (D-PA), Moran, Joe Morelle (D-NY), Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA)."

Read at IPWatchdog.com | Patents & Intellectual Property Law