A Democratic bill with 7 Republican cosponsors · See all 13 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the 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
The "Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act of 2025," also known as the "NO FAKES Act of 2025," establishes a property right to an individual's voice and visual likeness. This legislation gives individuals and their right holders the authority to control the use of "digital replicas" in various media and products. It defines how these rights are managed during a person's life and after their death. The bill includes specific rules for licensing, particularly regarding minors and post-mortem transfers. It also sets civil liability standards for those who use digital replicas without authorization. Finally, the act provides safe harbors for online services and includes various legal exclusions for news, satire, and documentaries.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer?
The bill establishes a new property right to protect an individual's unique voice and likeness.
- Scored +7
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The act grants individuals significant control over the digital representation of their identity.
- Scored +6
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill enhances individual control over the use of their digital presence and likeness.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -3
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill's preemption clause limits the ability of states to address digital replica issues through their own laws.
- Scored -2
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?
New restrictions on digital replicas could potentially constrain certain types of expression.
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill creates new compliance requirements and potential liability for businesses using digital replicas.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Control Over Digital Identity: Individuals gain a specific property right to authorize or prohibit the use of their voice or visual likeness in a digital replica. (Section 2(b)(1))
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Protection for Minors: The bill requires that any license involving an individual under 18 must be approved by a court in accordance with State law, providing an extra layer of oversight. (Section 2(b)(2)(ii))
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Legacy and Inheritance Management: The right to a person's likeness can be transferred to executors, heirs, or assignees after death, allowing families to manage a person's legacy. (Section 2(b)(2)(a)(iii))
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Safe Harbors for Expression: The bill protects certain types of speech, such as bona fide news, public affairs, sports broadcasts, and satire, ensuring that information and commentary are not unfairly restricted. (Section 2(c)(5)(A))
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Protection Against Sexual Misuse: The law excludes the use of digital replicas that depict sexually explicit conduct from certain protections, ensuring those specific uses are handled under different legal standards. (Section 2(c)(5)(B))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Burden of Proof for Post-Mortem Rights: Right holders seeking to renew post-mortem rights must file notices and demonstrate active and authorized public use of the likeness. (Section 2(b)(2)(a)(iv)(II)(bb))
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Liability for False Notifications: Individuals or entities that knowingly misrepresent that material is an unauthorized digital replica can be held liable for $25,000 or actual damages. (Section 2(d)(4)(B))
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Stringent Licensing for Minors: Licenses for those under 18 are limited to a maximum of 5 years and must terminate when the individual reaches age 18. (Section 2(b)(2)(ii))
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Civil Action Costs: While the bill provides for the recovery of attorney's fees, the legal process for bringing civil actions regarding these rights can be complex. (Section 2(e)(4)(a)(v))
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.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer? — The bill establishes a new property right to protect an individual's unique voice and likeness. Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill enhances individual control over the use of their digital presence and likeness. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill regulates how online services must handle digital replicas and provides a mechanism for notifications.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The act grants individuals significant control over the digital representation of their identity. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill creates a federal property right that preempts many state law causes of action. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill's preemption clause limits the ability of states to address digital replica issues through their own laws. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — New restrictions on digital replicas could potentially constrain certain types of expression.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill includes enhanced protections and court oversight for licenses involving minors. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill creates new compliance requirements and potential liability for businesses using digital replicas.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill provides consumers with greater control over their digital identity and likeness.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — The bill creates new liability and licensing restrictions that may chill certain expressive uses.
- 4/14/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 11/20/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/3/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/14/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 4/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Bill HagertyRepublican · Tennessee
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Ashley MoodyRepublican · Florida
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont