In one paragraph
Ohio's HB 185 would amend the right-of-publicity law (chapter 2741) on unauthorized use of an individual's persona, including a modified facsimile that a reasonable trier of fact would confuse with the individual, and add a new chapter 2742 on 'malicious deepfake recordings.' Without the depicted person's written consent, no person could produce a malicious deepfake recording to distribute, or offer to distribute one, and no one could recklessly distribute one, subject to exceptions. Introduced March 19, 2025; referred to committee March 26, 2025.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None unless enacted: the bill is in committee. If enacted, advertisers, media companies and AI content creators in Ohio would need written consent before using someone's persona commercially or producing malicious deepfakes of them.
Key provisions
- Would define 'persona' as an individual's name, voice, signature, photograph, image, likeness or distinctive appearance that has commercial value
- Would extend the bar on using a persona for a commercial purpose without consent to a modified facsimile a reasonable trier of fact would confuse with the individual; as printed, protection runs during life and sixty years after death (ten years for deceased Ohio National Guard or armed forces members)
- Would define a 'malicious deepfake recording' as media falsely appearing to be an authentic record of a person's speech or conduct, made to cause harm because of its false nature
- Would bar, without the depicted individual's written consent, preparing a malicious deepfake to distribute, offering to distribute one, and (for anyone) recklessly distributing one (2742.02)
- Would exclude some recordings, such as certain recordings in a context that would lead a reasonable person to believe they are not authentic (captured text truncated)
- Status: referred to House Technology and Innovation Committee on March 26, 2025; pending
Latest legislative action
Mar 26, 2025. Referred to committee (House Technology and Innovation)
Sponsors (showing 5 of 68)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Adam Mathews R | Primary |
| Bride Rose Sweeney D | Primary |
| Catherine Ingram D | Primary |
| Sarah Fowler Arthur R | Primary |
| Stephen Hambley | Primary |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error