A Republican bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 10 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, called the "NO FAKES Act of 2025", aims to protect the intellectual property rights of individuals regarding their voice and visual likeness, especially concerning digital replicas. It grants individuals and their right holders the right to authorize the use of their voice and likeness in digital replicas and sets up a system of liability and safe harbors related to unauthorized use. The bill also outlines enforcement mechanisms and clarifies its relationship with existing state laws.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +7
Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer?
The bill protects the intellectual property rights related to an individual's voice and visual likeness.
- Scored +5
Would people in middle age be better off under this?
This will help as middle aged professionals might be starting to establish their brand.
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Protects their image and likeness against misuse after they are gone.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?
The bill could restrict freedom of speech by placing restrictions on the use of digital replicas online.
- Scored -3
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?
The bill's restrictions on digital replicas could impinge on freedom of speech.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Intellectual Property: The bill grants individuals the right to control and authorize the use of their voice and visual likeness in digital replicas, giving them more power over their own image and brand. This is found in Section 2(b).
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Post-Mortem Rights: The bill ensures that these rights extend beyond an individual's death, allowing their heirs or designated right holders to manage and profit from their likeness for a certain period. This is found in Section 2(b)(2).
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Legal Recourse: The bill establishes a civil action process for individuals whose digital likeness is used without authorization, giving them a means to seek damages and injunctive relief. This is found in Section 2(e).
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Protection for Sound Recording Artists: Sound recording artists are explicitly granted certain protections under this bill, allowing them to pursue legal action against unauthorized digital replicas. This is found in Section 2(e)(1)(C).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Online Content: The bill places restrictions on the use of digital replicas online, which could potentially affect freedom of expression and creativity. Online platforms may become more cautious about hosting user-generated content that could be perceived as violating these rights, leading to censorship or removal of legitimate content. This relates to Section 2(c).
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Burden on Online Services: Online services are required to monitor and remove unauthorized digital replicas, which could be a costly and time-consuming process, especially for smaller platforms. This is described in Section 2(d).
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Penalties for Misrepresentation: Individuals who falsely claim that a digital replica is unauthorized could face significant penalties, potentially chilling legitimate claims due to fear of repercussions. This is described in Section 2(d)(4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in middle age be better off under this? — This will help as middle aged professionals might be starting to establish their brand. Would retired people be better off under this? — It can protect their likeness and image after their death. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Protects their image and likeness against misuse after they are gone. Would children be better off under this? — The bill includes specific provisions for licensing agreements involving minors, offering them increased protection. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — This helps protect their image and likeness as young professionals may just be getting started.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer? — The bill protects the intellectual property rights related to an individual's voice and visual likeness. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill creates safe harbors for online services, indirectly regulating how they handle user-uploaded content related to digital replicas.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill provides legal recourse for unauthorized use of digital replicas, strengthening consumer protection.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — The bill could restrict freedom of speech by placing restrictions on the use of digital replicas online.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes federal intellectual property rights related to digital replicas, increasing federal power in this area. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The bill's restrictions on digital replicas could impinge on freedom of speech.
- 12/3/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/23/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/29/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/9/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Becca BalintDemocrat · Vermont
Madeleine DeanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Laura FriedmanDemocrat · California
Susie LeeDemocrat · Nevada
Laurel LeeRepublican · Florida
Joseph MorelleDemocrat · New York
Jared MoskowitzDemocrat · Florida
Max MillerRepublican · Ohio
Nathaniel MoranRepublican · Texas
Robert WittmanRepublican · Virginia