Revise laws related to use of name, voice, and likeness of individuals and penalties for unauthorized use
HB 513 establishes property rights for individuals in their name, voice, and likeness, making these rights transferable and descendible for a period after their death. The bill prohibits the unauthorized creation, distribution, or use of digital voice replicas or digital depictions of an individual. Those who violate these provisions may face significant financial penalties, including actual damages and profits from the unauthorized use. However, the bill includes exceptions for uses like news reporting, commentary, criticism, scholarship, satire, or parody.
The bill was revised to streamline its purpose by removing a redundant reference to defining terms, as those definitions are now included later in the text. Additionally, a new clause was added to the definition of a voice depiction, clarifying that the altered sound must be nearly indistinguishable from the original voice and convincing enough for a reasonable person to believe it is genuine.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on protecting voice likenesses, but the definition of what constitutes a protected voice depiction has been expanded to include a 'reasonable person' standard for authenticity.
DEFINITION
Removed the phrase 'AND PROVIDING DEFINITIONS' from the bill's title summary because the definitions section is now explicitly included in the text.
Added a requirement that a synthetic voice depiction must be 'nearly indistinguishable' from the real voice and convincing enough that a reasonable person would believe it is genuine.
HB0513_5(2).pdf→HB0513_X(24).pdf·5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renumbered from HB 513.5 to HB 513 and updated to reflect its status as an enrolled bill. Substantively, the text was significantly reorganized to clarify that property rights in a person's name, voice, and visual likeness are transferable, licensable, and descendible for 20 years after death. The bill defines specific liabilities for using unauthorized digital voice or visual depictions for commercial purposes and includes First Amendment exemptions for news, commentary, and parody.
TECHNICAL
The bill number was changed from HB 513.5 to HB 513, and the document header was updated to indicate it is an 'Enrolled Bill' rather than a draft version.
DEFINITION
The bill was restructured to explicitly define 'digital visual depiction' and 'digital voice depiction' as computer-generated images or audio that are nearly indistinguishable from the real person.
REQUIREMENT
Rights in a person's name, voice, and likeness are now explicitly stated to be freely transferable, licensable, and descendible for 20 years after the individual's death.
A statute of limitations was added, requiring civil actions to be commenced within 4 years of when the violation was discovered.
ENFORCEMENT
Liability rules were clarified to impose damages for unauthorized commercial use of digital voice or visual depictions, with specific exemptions for news reporting, criticism, and parody.
HB0513_X(23).pdf→HB0513_5(2).pdf·4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renumbered from HB 513 to HB 513.5 and expanded to explicitly include 'visual likeness' in its title and definitions. The most significant substantive change is the reduction of the statute of limitations for filing lawsuits from 4 years to 2 years after the violation is discovered. Additionally, the penalty for unauthorized use of a voice or likeness was lowered from $50,000 to $5,000 per violation, while penalties for using algorithms or software to create unauthorized depictions remain at $50,000.
Scope change
The bill's scope was slightly expanded by adding 'visual likeness' to the list of protected attributes, ensuring digital images and avatars are covered alongside names and voices.
TIMELINE
The deadline for filing a lawsuit was shortened from 4 years to 2 years after the victim discovers the unauthorized use.
ENFORCEMENT
The statutory penalty for unauthorized use of a name, voice, or visual likeness was reduced from $50,000 to $5,000 per violation.
Penalties for using algorithms or software to create unauthorized depictions remain at $50,000 per violation, creating a higher penalty tier for technological misuse compared to simple use.
DEFINITION
The bill was updated to explicitly include 'visual likeness' in its title and definitions to cover digital images and avatars.
HB0513_X(19).pdf→HB0513_X(20).pdf·1 edit
MINOR
The bill text was reformatted to improve readability and consistency, such as adjusting line breaks and spacing around the header information. No substantive policy changes, new definitions, or altered legal obligations were introduced in this version.
TECHNICAL
Line breaks and spacing were adjusted in the header and body text to standardize the document layout.
HB0513_X(16).pdf→HB0513_X(17).pdf·4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was simplified by removing the requirement that an individual must be a resident or domiciled in the state to have rights over their name, voice, or likeness. The text was also cleaned up to remove redundant words and fix numbering errors, making the legal language clearer and more consistent.
Scope change
The bill's scope was broadened by removing state residency requirements, meaning individuals living outside the state now have rights under this law if their likeness is used commercially.
ELIGIBILITY
Removed the requirement that an individual must be a resident or domiciled in the state to claim rights over their name, voice, or likeness.
DEFINITION
Revised the definition of 'visual likeness' to remove the residency condition and clarify that rights apply regardless of where the individual lives.
Deleted the clause stating that rights must be exclusive to the individual during their lifetime, streamlining the description of property rights.
TECHNICAL
Corrected grammatical errors and redundant phrasing throughout the text, such as changing 'must be are' to 'are' and fixing section numbering.
HB0513_5(1).pdf→HB0513_X(10).pdf·3 edits
MINOR
The bill was renumbered from HB 513.5 to HB 513 and updated to reflect its status as an enrolled bill. The core policy regarding rights to name, voice, and visual likeness remains unchanged, but the text was significantly cleaned up to remove formatting errors, inconsistent capitalization, and redundant clauses that appeared in the previous draft version.
TECHNICAL
The bill number was changed from HB 513.5 to HB 513, and the document header was updated to indicate it is now an 'Enrolled Bill' rather than an 'Authorized Print Version'.
Extensive text cleanup was performed to remove inconsistent all-caps formatting, redundant words (such as 'must be are'), and contradictory numbering sequences found in the previous draft.
Minor structural adjustments were made to the subsection numbering to align the text with standard legislative formatting conventions.
HB0513_X(9).pdf→HB0513_5.pdf·5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renumbered from HB 513 to HB 513.5 and underwent significant substantive changes to property rights and penalties. The most critical change is the reduction of the post-death protection period from 20 years to 10 years, unless heirs actively transfer the rights. Additionally, the financial penalties for unauthorized use were increased, with damages for certain violations rising from $5,000 to $50,000 per violation. The bill also added a new provision allowing punitive damages and attorney fees, and clarified that rights must be actively transferred to heirs to maintain protection.
Scope change
The scope of protection for an individual's name, voice, and likeness after their death was narrowed, reducing the automatic duration of rights from 20 years to 10 years unless specific legal actions are taken to transfer those rights to heirs.
TIMELINE
The duration of property rights after an individual's death was reduced from 20 years to 10 years, unless heirs explicitly transfer or license the rights.
ENFORCEMENT
The statutory penalty for violating certain subsections was increased from $5,000 to $50,000 per violation.
New provisions were added allowing courts to award punitive damages and reasonable attorney fees to injured parties.
REQUIREMENT
The language regarding the transfer of rights was clarified to require active steps by executors or heirs to maintain the property rights after death.
TECHNICAL
The bill number was updated from HB 513 to HB 513.5, and the text was reorganized with new section numbering.
HB0513_X(3).pdf→HB0513_X(4).pdf·4 edits
MODERATE
The bill adds specific protections against the unauthorized commercial use of digital voice and visual depictions that are nearly indistinguishable from a real person. It clarifies that liability applies when a creator knows the depiction is unauthorized and not genuine. The changes also update the list of legal exemptions, ensuring that fleeting uses and advertisements for specific works are protected from lawsuits.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to explicitly cover digital voice and visual depictions that are indistinguishable from reality, closing a potential loophole for deepfakes or synthetic media.
SCOPE
Added explicit protection for digital voice and visual depictions that are nearly indistinguishable from a real person's actual voice or appearance.
REQUIREMENT
Clarified that liability exists when the user has specific knowledge that the depiction is unauthorized and not genuine.
Added new exemptions for fleeting or negligible uses and advertisements for works described in the same subsection.
DEFINITION
Refined the definition of protected depictions to include those created using digital technology that are nearly indistinguishable from the actual individual.
HB0513_X(2).pdf→HB0513_X(3).pdf·4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to remove the requirement that an individual must be a resident or domiciled in the state to have rights over their name, voice, or likeness, thereby extending protection to all individuals. The text was also cleaned up to remove conflicting edits and formatting errors, ensuring the legal definitions for 'visual likeness' and 'digital voice depiction' are clear and consistent.
Scope change
The bill's scope was broadened to apply to all individuals regardless of their residency or domicile status, rather than being limited to residents or those domiciled in the state.
ELIGIBILITY
Removed the requirement that the individual must be a resident or domiciled in the state to claim rights over their name, voice, or likeness.
DEFINITION
Clarified the definition of 'visual likeness' to include computer-generated depictions that are nearly indistinguishable from the actual person.
Added a clear definition for 'digital voice depiction' covering realistic audio renderings that sound like the actual individual's voice.
TECHNICAL
Corrected inconsistent numbering and removed conflicting text edits to ensure the legal provisions are coherent.
HB0513_X(1).pdf→HB0513_X(2).pdf·1 edit
MINOR
The bill text shows a minor formatting adjustment where the dollar sign in the penalty amount was moved from the beginning of the line to the end of the line. This change does not alter the legal meaning, the penalty amount, or any substantive policy of the bill.
TECHNICAL
Reformatted the text of the penalty clause by moving the '$' symbol to the end of the line, which is a non-substantive editing change.
HB0513_3(10).pdf→HB0513_X.pdf·6 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renumbered from HB 513.3 to HB 513 and formally designated as an enrolled bill. The core policy changes include expanding the definition of protected rights to cover 'visual likeness' alongside name and voice, clarifying that these rights are freely transferable and last for 20 years after death, and establishing specific civil penalties for unauthorized commercial use of digital voice or visual replicas. The bill also introduces a safe harbor for news organizations and parody, while requiring violators to prove their expenses are deductible when calculating damages.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include 'visual likeness' as a protected property right, whereas previous versions focused primarily on name and voice. It also clarifies that rights transfer to heirs and last for 20 years post-death.
SCOPE
Added 'visual likeness' to the list of protected individual property rights alongside name and voice.
REQUIREMENT
Clarified that rights in name, voice, and likeness are freely transferable, licensable, and descendible to heirs for 20 years after death.
Added a safe harbor provision stating that news reporting, public affairs, and parody are not violations.
Required violators to prove that their expenses are deductible when calculating damages owed to the injured party.
ENFORCEMENT
Established specific civil penalties: $50,000 per violation for unauthorized commercial use of digital voice/visual replicas, and $5,000 for other unauthorized uses.
TECHNICAL
Changed the bill number from HB 513.3 to HB 513 and updated the header to reflect it is an enrolled bill.
HB0513_3(3).pdf→HB0513_3(4).pdf·3 edits
MINOR
The bill underwent significant renumbering of subsections, shifting from a 9-point structure to an 8-point structure. Substantively, the bill now requires a violator to prove their expenses are deductible from any profits awarded, a new financial burden for the defendant. Additionally, the list of First Amendment exemptions was expanded to include fleeting or negligible uses, broadening the scope of protected speech.
Scope change
The bill's scope was broadened by adding a specific exemption for fleeting or negligible uses and by imposing a new requirement on violators to prove expense deductibility.
REQUIREMENT
Added a requirement that violators must prove their expenses are deductible from the profits they must pay.
ENFORCEMENT
Expanded First Amendment exemptions to include 'fleeting or negligible' uses of digital voice or visual depictions.
TECHNICAL
Renumbered all subsections sequentially, changing the bill's internal numbering from 9 items to 8 items.
HB0513_3(2).pdf→HB0513_3(3).pdf·3 edits
MINOR
The bill was renumbered to align with a new subsection structure. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a rule requiring the injured party to prove only 'gross revenue' rather than net profit when calculating damages. This lowers the burden of proof for victims seeking compensation. Additionally, punitive damages and attorney fees remain available to the injured party.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding who can sue and the specific exemptions for news and parody remains unchanged.
REQUIREMENT
Changed the burden of proof for calculating damages from net profit to gross revenue, making it easier for victims to recover money.
Added a provision explicitly allowing punitive damages and reasonable attorney fees to be awarded to the injured party.
TECHNICAL
Updated line numbers and subsection labels to reflect a reorganization of the bill's text.
HB0513_2(5).pdf→HB0513_3.pdf·3 edits
MINOR
The bill was renumbered from HB 513.2 to HB 513.3 and updated for the 2025 legislative session. The most significant substantive change extends the duration of property rights over a person's name, voice, and visual likeness from 10 years to 20 years after their death. The text also includes minor formatting adjustments to section numbering and liability clauses.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding the duration of post-mortem rights has expanded, now protecting these rights for twice as long as previously proposed.
TIMELINE
The protection period for names, voices, and likenesses after an individual's death was increased from 10 years to 20 years.
TECHNICAL
The bill number was updated from HB 513.2 to HB 513.3, and the legislative year was confirmed as 2025.
Minor formatting changes were made to section headers and liability subsection numbers to align with standard legislative drafting.
HB0513_1(10).pdf→HB0513_2.pdf·5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was significantly rewritten to expand protections from just names and voices to include 'visual likenesses' and 'digital depictions.' It clarifies that rights apply to both residents and those domiciled in the state at death, and it introduces a 20-year expiration limit for rights if no legal action is taken. The liability thresholds and specific penalties for unauthorized use were also adjusted.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly cover visual likenesses and digital depictions, applying to individuals domiciled in the state at the time of their death in addition to residents.
SCOPE
Added 'visual likeness' and 'digital depiction' to the list of protected attributes, broadening protection beyond just names and voices.
ELIGIBILITY
Expanded eligibility to include individuals domiciled in the state at the time of death, not just current residents.
REQUIREMENT
Added a requirement that rights terminate 20 years after the individual's death if no legal action has been taken.
ENFORCEMENT
Adjusted statutory damages and liability rules, including adding a defense for those with an objectively reasonable belief the material was not an unauthorized depiction.
DEFINITION
Updated definitions to explicitly include 'digital voice replica' and 'digital depiction' within the scope of the law.
HB0513_1(1).pdf→HB0513_1(2).pdf·1 edit
MINOR
The list of legislators sponsoring House Bill 513 was completely replaced, indicating a change in the bill's leadership or a re-introduction by a different group of representatives. No substantive policy changes, such as new definitions, funding amounts, or eligibility criteria, were identified in this section of the document.
TECHNICAL
The names of the bill sponsors were updated from one set of legislators to a different set, reflecting a change in who is introducing the bill.
LC3983.pdf→HB0513_1.pdf·1 edit
MINOR
The bill was renumbered from LC 3983 to HB 513 and updated with a new list of sponsors. The substantive legal text regarding property rights in names, voices, and likenesses remains identical, with no changes to penalties, exemptions, or definitions.
TECHNICAL
The bill number changed from LC 3983 to HB 513, and the list of sponsors was updated to reflect new legislators.
