Laws designed to protect performers’ rights are essential in the entertainment industry. Whether you are an actor, musician, or dancer, legal protections ensure fair compensation, the ability to control your image, and protection from exploitation. These laws give performers the necessary support to navigate their careers with confidence.
Right of publicity
The right of publicity grants you control over the commercial use of your name, image, and likeness. If someone wants to use your image in advertisements, video games, or other commercial projects, they must seek your permission.
This law also protects your likeness after death, allowing your estate to manage how it is used long after you’re gone. This protection becomes especially valuable for performers whose images continue to have commercial value even posthumously.
Protection from exploitation
Protections also exist to guard performers from exploitation. The Talent Agencies Act ensures talent agents operate fairly. Registered talent agents can only collect a commission if you have a written contract with them. This prevents agents from taking advantage of performers by imposing unfair contracts. For minors working in entertainment, the law requires court approval for contracts, helping to prevent young performers from becoming trapped in unjust agreements.
Intellectual property protections
Performers are also protected under intellectual property laws. Copyright law safeguards musical compositions, choreography, and acting performances. If you create original work, you can earn royalties and compensation whenever someone uses your creation commercially. This ensures that you continue to benefit financially from your work long after the initial performance or recording.
With these legal protections in place, performers can focus on their craft without worrying about unfair practices or rights violations. The entertainment industry can be complex, but these laws help level the playing field. As the industry evolves, they continue to adapt, providing the tools for performers to succeed without fear of exploitation.