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Publicity Rights and Integrated IP Strategy

Author

Listed:
  • Alexander Cuntz
  • Brent Lutes
  • Alessio Muscarnera

Abstract

'Rights of publicity' provide a degree of control over one's name, image, and likeness (NILs), and can have significant commercial value, especially with the advent of artificial intelligence and digital replicas. Although publicity rights have recently received substantial media and legislative attention, they have so far escaped the attention of economists. This article remedies that with the first empirical examination of publicity rights, using asynchronous changes in U.S. state laws to explore potentially welfare-improving economic incentives and the interaction of NIL protections with other intellectual property rights, thus laying the foundation for a new line of economic inquiry.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Cuntz & Brent Lutes & Alessio Muscarnera, 2025. "Publicity Rights and Integrated IP Strategy," WIPO Economic Research Working Papers 89, World Intellectual Property Organization - Economics and Statistics Division.
    • Handle: RePEc:wip:wpaper:89
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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