New York’s post mortem right-of-publicity statute recently came into effect. Its previous right-of-publicity laws were an extension of its statutory right of privacy which provided that “any person whose name [or likeness] is used within [New York] for advertising [or trade] purposes without . . . written consent” can sue for an injunction and damages. Because the statute addressed privacy concerns that dissipated at death, such rights did not extend post mortem. New York courts have held that because the state’s law affords no common law right of publicity – the statutory grant is exclusive.
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