In one paragraph
The ELVIS Act renames Tennessee's Personal Rights Protection Act and adds a property right in a person's voice, defined to cover a sound readily identifiable as a particular person 'regardless of whether the sound contains the actual voice or a simulation of the voice.' It creates civil liability for publishing or distributing someone's voice or likeness without authorization, and for distributing an algorithm, software, tool or other technology whose primary purpose is producing a particular person's photograph, voice or likeness without authorization. Record labels with exclusive contracts may sue. First Amendment-type uses are exempt. Effective July 1, 2024.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
AI voice-cloning and likeness tools, platforms and content producers face civil liability in Tennessee for unauthorized replicas of artists and other individuals.
Key provisions
- TCA 47-25-1102: 'voice' includes a simulation of an individual's voice
- TCA 47-25-1103: property right in the use of one's name, photograph, voice or likeness in any medium
- 47-25-1105(a)(2): liability for knowingly making an unauthorized voice or likeness available to the public
- 47-25-1105(a)(3): liability for distributing an algorithm, software, tool or technology whose primary purpose is producing an identifiable person's voice or likeness without authorization
- 47-25-1106: holders of exclusive recording contracts or licenses may sue
- Exemptions for news, commentary, criticism, satire, parody and fleeting or incidental uses, to the extent protected by the First Amendment
Latest legislative action
Mar 21, 2024. Signed by Governor; Public Chapter 588
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