Digital Replica Licensing Bill Passes in New York State

Once again, the power of solidarity has risen to the challenge. Thanks to your calls and emails to your New York State legislators, the digital replica licensing bill we championed has passed unanimously in the New York State Assembly and had previously passed unanimously in the New York State Senate on June 6. 

The bill, S.7676-B (Ramos)/A.8138-B (Weinstein), will protect SAG-AFTRA members by requiring employers to provide an opportunity for both informed consent and proper union or legal representation before the rights to the digital replication of voice or likeness in place of physical work can be licensed. Licenses for voice and likeness rights are sometimes buried within the fine print of contracts or terms of service, and performers inadvertently grant these rights without knowing the significance. This legislation creates an important additional layer of protection to SAG-AFTRA members.

Thank you to New York State Senator and Labor Chair Jessica Ramos and New York State Assemblymember Helene E. Weinstein for their work on the bill, and all they do to protect SAG-AFTRA members.

Forward together,
Ezra Knight
New York Local President