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HB 1071

TO AMEND THE FRANK BROYLES PUBLICITY RIGHTS PROTECTION ACT OF 2016; AND TO PROVIDE PROTECTIONS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE PHOTOGRAPH, VOICE, OR LIKENESS IS REPRODUCED THROUGH MEANS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND USED COMMERCIALLY.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Bryant and 1 co-sponsor

Arkansas law now prohibits unauthorized commercial use of AI-generated reproductions of individuals' images, voices, and likenesses, extending digital privacy protections into generative AI technology.

Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass, concur in Senate Amendment No. 1
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Bill Summary · HB 1071

Legislative bill overview

HB 1071 amends Arkansas's existing publicity rights law (the Frank Broyles Act of 2016) to specifically address artificial intelligence reproduction of people's images, voices, and likenesses. The bill extends legal protections to individuals whose digital likeness is created or used commercially through AI technology without authorization.

Why is this important

As AI technology enables increasingly realistic digital recreations of people, this bill creates a legal framework to prevent unauthorized commercial exploitation of someone's identity through deepfakes, synthetic media, and AI-generated content. This addresses a genuine gap in existing law, since traditional publicity rights protections were written before modern generative AI became commercially viable.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: The bill may lack precise definitions of what constitutes AI reproduction versus other digital manipulations, potentially creating enforcement and litigation uncertainty
  • Free speech tensions: Balancing publicity rights against legitimate uses of AI (parody, satire, journalism, artistic expression) without clear carve-outs could chill protected speech
  • Burden on plaintiffs: Proving unauthorized AI use and establishing commercial harm may require expensive forensic analysis, making the law difficult for individuals to enforce

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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