Legal Definitions - right of publicity

The right of publicity is a legal term that refers to an individual's right to control the use of their name, image, or likeness for commercial purposes. This means that no one can use your name, picture, or any other identifying feature to make money without your permission.

For example, if a company wants to use a celebrity's image to promote their product, they must first obtain the celebrity's consent and compensate them for the use of their likeness. Similarly, if a photographer takes a picture of you and wants to use it in an advertisement, they must first get your permission.

The right of publicity is a type of intellectual property right that is protected by state law. It is considered a commercial tort of unfair competition, which means that if someone violates your right of publicity, you can take legal action against them.