Bill > SB354

This bill amends Georgia's tort law by creating a new legal framework to protect individuals' "indicia of identity" - which includes a person's image, likeness, voice, signature, and other unique identifying features like face, mannerisms, tattoos, and distinctive speech patterns. The bill establishes that individuals have the right to prevent unauthorized use of their identifying characteristics, with special provisions for minors and deceased individuals. People can be held liable for civil damages if they use someone's identity without consent for purposes like advertising, fundraising, selling identity information, or integrating identity into machine learning. Individuals can sue and recover at least $1,000 or actual damages, plus any profits from the unauthorized use. The law includes important exceptions for First Amendment protected activities like satire, journalism, and artistic expression, and does not impose liability on media owners who unknowingly publish unauthorized uses. The bill provides protections for both private individuals and public figures, with slightly different rules for how long identity rights persist after death, and explicitly excludes mere name usage from its scope. The legislation aims to give individuals more control over the commercial and unauthorized use of their personal identifying characteristics.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71570