Call to Action: Ask Your Legislators to Support Important Bills Filed in Massachusetts

In an effort to further protect our members who live and work in Massachusetts, through the help of Rep. Tackey Chan, two bills were filed this session which, if enacted, will safeguard an individual’s likeness and voice. 

HD3986 - An Act Relative to the Contracting of Digital Replicas would require a performer’s informed consent in executing a contract for any transfer of rights of that individual’s likeness or voice. Licenses for voice and likeness rights are sometimes buried within the fine print of contracts or terms of service, and performers may inadvertently grant these rights without knowing the significance. This legislation creates an important additional layer of protection.

HD3987 - An Act Preventing an Individual’s Image and Voice from Exploitation expands on the Commonwealth’s current Right of Publicity law by including likeness and voice to the covered protections and adding post-mortem rights. 

Take action now and call or email your legislators and ask them to co-sponsor these bills. Share with them how unauthorized uses of a performer’s likeness and voice impacts your livelihood. 

Continue to watch your emails and the SAG-AFTRA New England Facebook page for information on how you can help further these bills.