NO FAKES Reintroduced with More Protections for Libraries and Researchers

A bipartisan, bicameral group of Congress members today reintroduced the “Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act of 2026” (NO FAKES Act), a bill that would create a federal IP right to an individual’s voice and likeness.

Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), joined Representatives Maria Salazar (R-FL), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Becca Balint (D-VT) and Laurel Lee (R-FL) to sponsor the bill.

The bill would grant the “right to authorize the use of the voice or visual likeness of the individual” in digital replicas or other product or service, and would not be assignable during the life of the right holder but is licensable. Upon the death of the individual, the right is transferable or licensable and would terminate no longer than 70 years after the death of the right holder.

The latest version includes several revisions, such as a “counter-notification” procedure to challenge notifications of violations, and additional exclusions for libraries and research institutions.

The bill was originally introduced by Coons, Blackburn, Klobuchar and Tillis in the Senate, and two months later it was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Salazar, Dean (D-PA), Moran, Joe Morelle (D-NY), Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA).

A discussion draft of the bill was first introduced in October 2023 with the stated goal of “protect[ing] the voice and visual likenesses of individuals from unfair use through generative artificial intelligence (GAI).”

Congress has been interested in finding ways to curb abuse of AI to create unauthorized digital replicas of individuals and their works for some time. The Senate Subcommittee on Intellectual Property heard from six witnesses in April 2024 to get their thoughts on the discussion draft of the NO FAKES Act, and they urged the lawmakers to strike a careful balance between treading on First Amendment rights and allowing artists more control over their likeness. When the Senate bill was introduced, organizations including OpenAI, The Walt Disney Company, Warner Music Group, the Authors Guild, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Motion Picture Association (MPA), Universal Music Group and SAG-AFTRA came out in support.

In April 2026, Blackburn and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) held a roundtable with more than 20 artists during the Recording Academy’s “GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day.” The artists were there to support the NO FAKES Act as well as the “Transparency and Responsibility for Artificial Intelligence Networks” (TRAIN) Act, which would promote greater transparency “about when and how copyrighted works are used to train generative AI models by enabling copyright holders to obtain this information through an administrative subpoena.”

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) issued a statement by RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier today applauding the momentum for the bill, and noting that 92% of Americans support a Federal law to protect voice and likeness. Glazier said that “NO FAKES provides those important protections while securing freedom of expression, reducing litigation and achieving the full promise of American AI technology.”

Recently, Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications for voice clips and images in an effort to protect her likeness against AI theft.