Law Commons^™

Me.Com: The Growing Need For The Illinois Right Of Publicity Act To Respond To Online Social Networks, Anne E. Mclean

Anne E McLean

This Comment discusses the recent growth in prevalence of online social networks (“OSNs”) in both personal and commercial contexts and, given the novelty and breadth of current issues surrounding OSNs, focuses analysis on problems that arise when attempting to locate a home for claims involving OSNs within the current Illinois publicity statute, the Illinois Right of Publicity Act. Of the thirty states that recognize the right of an individual to recover damages for the appropriation of his identity, Illinois is one of nineteen states to codify these rights by statute and adopts the majority view—extending protection to individuals without regard …