Binding law — in force
AI-generated voice or likeness of a living person needs prior consent before use on products or in advertising (California)
California Civil Code 3344(a)(1) makes a person who knowingly uses another's name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness on or in products, merchandise, or goods, or to advertise, sell, or solicit purchases, without that person's prior consent (a parent's or guardian's for a minor) liable for the greater of $750 or actual damages, attributable profits, punitive damages, and attorney's fees; since 2026 a court order to remove or stop distributing the material must be complied with within two business days (3344(a)(2)). News, public affairs, sports, and political campaign uses need no consent (3344(d)), and advertising media owners are exempt unless they knew of the unauthorized use (3344(f)). This rule covers the part not encoded elsewhere: a living person's AI-generated or cloned voice or likeness used commercially (AB 1836 covers deceased personalities; the Tennessee ELVIS Act covers distributing likeness-cloning tools). Detect voice-clone, face-swap, or likeness-generation code in a commercial or advertising path with no consent record.
ca-civ-3344.ai-likeness-commercial-use-consent · Cal. Civ. Code 3344(a)(1) · official source · jurisdictions: US-CA