Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act (ELVIS Act)

Summary

The Tennessee ELVIS Act (Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act) was signed on 21 March 2024 and took effect on 1 July 2024. It is the first US state law specifically protecting individuals from AI voice cloning without consent, extending the right of publicity to cover voice (real or simulated) and providing for both civil and criminal penalties. Passed unanimously by the Tennessee legislature, the Act serves as the legislative template for subsequent state and federal performer protection proposals including the NO FAKES Act.

Implications for animation education

Animation, games and voice-performance programs should teach the ELVIS Act as the first enacted example of US voice-cloning protection, noting that it extends the right of publicity to cover voice (real or simulated) with both civil and criminal penalties. Its significance for curriculum is primarily as the template legislation: understanding the ELVIS Act prepares students to read and apply the California, federal and other state proposals that follow its structure. Production management units should note that its criminal penalties are stronger than most equivalent state laws, setting a benchmark for risk discussions in professional-practice teaching.

Related items

• California AB 2602: Digital Replica Contract Protections
• SAG-AFTRA 2025 Interactive Media Agreement: AI Provisions

Source

Source: State of Tennessee ↗ (Policy Text)

Primary document: tn.gov/governor/news/2024/1/10/tennessee-first-in-the-nation-to-address-ai-impact-on-music-industry.html ↗