The right of publicity protects individuals against the unauthorized commercial use of their likeness, and is recognized in New York by N.Y. Civil Rights Law §§ 50 and 51.
Under § 50, a Âperson, firm or corporation that uses for advertising purposes, or for the purposes of trade, the name, portrait or picture of any living person without having first obtained the written consent of such person, or if a minor of his or her parent or guardian, is guilty of a misdemeanor.Â
§ 51 details the cause of action injunction and damages.
In the UK we have no similar law unless you count on the law of passing off.
