Intellectual Property

Boston College Law School

April 23, 2007

Right of Publicity

State Intellectual Property Laws

• Different areas– Trade Secret

– Misappropriation

– Contract

– Idea Submissions

– Publicity

– Moral Rights

– Trespass

• Preemption

Midler v. Ford Motor

California Right of Publicity

• Cal Civ. Code 3344– (a) Any person who knowingly uses another’s name,

voice, signature, photograph, or likeness, in any manner, on or in products … or for the purposes of advertising products, … without such person’s prior consent … shall be liable for any damages …”

• Common Law Right of Publicity– Appropriation of celebrity’s identity for commercial

purposes

White v. Samsung

Wendt v. Host

Comedy III v. Saderup

Saderup

Warhol

Masters Of Augusta

Elvis Impersonators

Cardtoons v. MLBPA

Justifications• Utilitarian justifications

– Incentive for creativity and achievement– Preserve value of identity as a marker– Prevent consumer deception and confusion

• Labor-desert– Reward labor and hard work– Prevent unjust enrichment

• Personality theory– Protect interest in controlling own identity

Administrative

• Next Class– Finish syllabus

Hypo