MN HF3994

Creates a civil cause of action for unauthorized use of an individual's or deceased person's name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness on products, merchandise, or for advertising purposes without prior consent.

Requires prior consent from the individual, parent/guardian for minors, or personal representative/heirs for deceased individuals; rights may be assigned or licensed and can extend beyond the individual's lifetime.

Provides remedies including actual damages, profits earned from unauthorized use, punitive damages, injunctive relief, and reasonable attorneys' fees and costs for prevailing parties.

Allows deceased individuals' right of publicity to descend to heirs for a minimum of 50 years after death, extendable to 100 years if actively maintained; rights are abandoned after two consecutive years of non-use following the initial 50-year period.

Exempts news reporting, sports broadcasting, commentary, plays, books, films, musical works, and other creative works from liability unless used as advertisement or endorsement; media publications are immune unless they had knowledge of unauthorized use.