Oklahoma

Conrad v. Hurst in Oklahoma Law

How Conrad v. Hurst applies in Oklahoma: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Entertainment & Sports Law.

State Approach

Oklahoma law follows similar principles as established in Conrad v. Hurst regarding the protectability of names and likenesses in the context of entertainment and sports law. Oklahoma recognizes the right of publicity, offering individuals control over the commercial use of their identity.

State Rule
In Oklahoma, the right of publicity encompasses the protection of an individual's name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness from unauthorized commercial exploitation.
Significant State Cases

Hoffman v. Capital Cities/ABC, Inc.

The court held that the use of a celebrity's image without consent in a promotional video constituted a violation of their right of publicity.

Molett v. State of Oklahoma

The ruling affirmed that individuals have a right to control and receive benefits from the commercial use of their likeness.

Harris v. Renda

The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, emphasizing the importance of consent for any commercial utilization of a person’s identity.

Comparison to Federal Law

Oklahoma's approach aligns closely with the federal standard, where the right of publicity is recognized but often depends on state law for enforcement. Unlike federal law, which may not explicitly address likeness rights, Oklahoma provides specific statutes and case law surrounding the exploitation of individuals' identities.

Bar Exam Note

Issues related to the right of publicity may appear on the Oklahoma bar exam, especially in the context of intellectual property and entertainment law questions.

Practice Pointers
  • Ensure proper consent is obtained from individuals before using their likeness for commercial purposes.
  • Stay informed of state statutes governing the right of publicity and related protections.
  • Be aware of potential defenses, such as newsworthiness or transformative use, which may apply in cases of likeness exploitation.

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