Proposed Federal Protections Against Unauthorized AI Digital Replicas

The Frame

What this does

This bill creates a new federal right for all individuals to control their digital likeness, allowing them to sue for unauthorized AI-generated replicas and potentially recover damages ranging from $5,000 to $750,000 per violation.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Individuals

They gain a new federal property right to control the use of their voice and visual likeness in digital replicas.

Online Service Providers

They must implement takedown procedures and register designated agents to qualify for liability safe harbors.

Heirs and Executors

They inherit the right to license or authorize the use of a deceased individual's digital likeness.

Sound Recording Artists

They or their contract holders gain specific standing to bring civil actions regarding unauthorized digital replicas of their performances.

What changed

Last recorded activity June 24, 2026.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This amendment establishes a federal property right for individuals to control the use of their voice and visual likeness in AI-generated s. It creates a legal framework for individuals and their heirs to authorize or block the use of their likeness in online media and services, while providing protections for online platforms that comply with takedown procedures.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this law apply to people who are already deceased?

Yes, the right applies to individuals regardless of whether they died before, on, or after the date of enactment.

Can I still make parodies or use someone's likeness in a news report?

Yes, the bill includes specific exclusions for bona fide news, public affairs, sports broadcasts, commentary, criticism, scholarship, satire, and parody.

What happens if a website uses my likeness without permission?

You can send a notification to the service's designated agent to have the content removed; if they fail to comply, you may bring a civil action for damages.

Are there limits on how long I can license my digital likeness?

Yes, licenses for living individuals are limited to a maximum duration of 10 years.

Why It Matters

This bill creates a new federal right for all individuals to control their digital likeness, allowing them to sue for unauthorized AI-generated replicas and potentially recover damages ranging from $5,000 to $750,000 per violation.

News Coverage

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Related Legislation

congressional_record

Senate Scheduling Update for S. 4784

The Senate has agreed to delay the vote on a cloture motion for S. 4784 until after the confirmation vote for the Schwartz nomination. This procedural

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Federalization of Likeness Rights

The bill represents a significant shift by creating a federal property right for digital likeness, which has traditionally been governed by a patchwork of state-level 'right of publicity' laws.

Copyright Office

Connected Entities

personMrs. Blackburn“U.S. Senator who co-sponsored the amendment.”Map →

personRegister of Copyrights“Official authorized to prescribe regulations and maintain directories under this”Map →

organizationCopyright Office“Responsible for maintaining directories of digital replication rights and design”Map →

personMr. Coons“U.S. Senator who submitted the amendment.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy60
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment40
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz75
Current news / social attention level