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AI Summary
This bill establishes digital replication rights for individuals' voices and likenesses, allowing for private legal actions and licensing, with specific posthumous rights.
Business Impact
If you create digital content using AI in Texas, you must obtain consent for using individuals' voices or likenesses or face legal action.
What do these statuses mean? ▼
Introduced
— Filed in the legislature; not yet heard in committee
In Committee
— Assigned to and being reviewed by a legislative committee
Passed
— Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action
Signed / Enacted
— Signed into law by the governor; may or may not be in effect yet
Dead / Vetoed
— Vetoed, failed to pass, or session expired without action
Unknown
— Status data not yet available or awaiting classification
Affected Industries
Topics How we classify →
What This Means
SB1960 introduces a framework for digital replication rights in Texas, focusing on the voice and visual likeness of individuals. It allows individuals to control the use of their likenesses in digital formats, establishing private causes of action for unauthorized use. This bill impacts creators and businesses using AI technologies for content generation, requiring compliance with new consent and licensing regulations, including posthumous rights and non-assignability during life.
Key Provisions
- Defines 'digital replica' and 'digital replication rights'.
- Establishes private causes of action for unauthorized use.
- Rights are licensable and transferable after death.
- Prohibits production of digital replicas without consent.
- Permits certain uses without consent under specific conditions.
- Digital replication rights are not assignable during the individual's lifetime.
- Posthumous rights last for 10 years with 5-year renewal conditions.
Latest Legislative Action
Left pending in committee
Bill Sponsors (showing 5 of 9)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Darby | Primary |
| Perry | Primary |
| Rodríguez | Primary |
| Schwertner | Primary |
| Tepper | Primary |
Roll Call Votes
Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 1960 be placed on its third reading and final passage. ·
Apr 22, 2025
31 Yea
0 Nay
Passed ✓
Compliance Checklist
Obtain written consent from individuals before using their voice or likeness in digital replicas.
Who: Content creators and businesses using AI technologies.
Penalty: Legal action for unauthorized use.
Who: Content creators and businesses using AI technologies.
Penalty: Legal action for unauthorized use.
Designate an agent for receiving notifications of violations.
Who: Online service providers.
Penalty: Potential liability for non-compliance.
Who: Online service providers.
Penalty: Potential liability for non-compliance.
Related & Companion Bills
Full Legal Analysis
SB1960 amends the Business & Commerce Code to create Title 14A, which governs digital replication rights. It defines 'digital replica' and establishes that individuals have property rights over their voice and likeness, which can be licensed or transferred posthumously. The bill prohibits unauthorized production and distribution of digital replicas without consent from the right holder. It applies to residents of Texas and those deceased who were residents at the time of death. The bill also outlines permitted uses of digital replicas, including news and commentary. Non-compliance can lead to private legal actions by eligible plaintiffs, emphasizing the importance of obtaining consent for digital likeness usage. Digital replication rights are not assignable during the individual's lifetime, and posthumous rights last for 10 years, with conditions for 5-year renewals.
Official Source
Official Bill Text
View SB1960 on official legislature website →
Related Topics
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