SOUL Act of 2026

The SOUL Act of 2026 establishes a new federal intellectual property right for U.S. citizens over their "unique likeness," broadly defined to include their name, image, voice, biometric data, and AI-generated digital replicas. This bill grants individuals exclusive control over the reproduction, distribution, and creation of derivative works based on their likeness for their lifetime plus 50 years after death. Owners can seek civil remedies in federal court, including injunctions, content takedown orders, and statutory damages, with harm presumed, while platforms can be held liable for failing to remove unauthorized content after notification. The act includes exceptions for fair use, government activities, and First Amendment protections, and it preempts similar state laws to create a uniform national standard.