---
title: HB 566. NO FAKES Act of 2025; enact
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hb566
cite_as: HB 566, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb566
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb566.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb566/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70646
date: 2026-02-25
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb565.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 319
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb566.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 566
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2025-02-21
last_action: House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
sponsors:
- Soo Hong
- Todd Jones
- Kasey Carpenter
- Spencer Frye
- Stan Gunter
- Eric Bell
text_version: Comm Sub
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB566/2025
upstream_id: 1979990
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- artificial intelligence
- deepfakes
- likeness rights
- online platforms
- intellectual property
---
# HB 566. NO FAKES Act of 2025; enact
## Text
The House Committee on Creative Arts and Entertainment offers the following
substitute to HB 566:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to selling
and other trade practices, so as to enact the "NO FAKES Act of 2026"; to protect intellectual
property rights in the voice and visual likeness of individuals; to provide for the
characteristics of a right to use the voice or visual likeness in a digital replica; to provide for
licensing and transferability of a right; to provide for protection of post-mortem intellectual
property rights; to provide for violations and civil action; to provide for exceptions; to
provide for requirements of licensing voice or visual likeness for minors; to require actual
knowledge of violation for violators; to provide notification; to provide for civil liability for
false notifications by an individual claiming a violation; to provide subpoena; to require the
Secretary of State to maintain a directory of certain post-mortem digital replication rights and
a directory of designated agents; to authorize the Secretary of State to make interpretations
and resolve ambiguities in carrying out provisions of this article; to provide for rules and
regulations; to provide for civil liability for the unauthorized use of a digital replica; to
provide for penalties; to provide for exceptions; to provide for statute of limitations; to
provide for jurisdiction; to provide for construction; to provide for definitions; to provide for
related matters; to provide for severability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep
Entertainment Safe Act of 2026" or the "NO FAKES Act of 2026."
SECTION 2.
Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to selling and other
trade practices, is amended by enacting a new article to read as follows:
"ARTICLE 38
10-1-970.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) 'Digital fingerprint' means an electronic label or identifier created by a cryptographic
hash function, or similar function, or any other digital process, tool, or technique selected
by the provider of an online service, that is unique to a specific piece of material such that
it is effectively certain that such piece of material will not be misidentified as a match for
a different piece of material.
(2) 'Digital replica' means a newly created, computer generated, highly realistic
electronic representation that is readily identifiable as the voice or visual likeness of an
individual that:
(A) Is embodied in a sound recording, image, audiovisual work, including an
audiovisual work that does not have any accompanying sounds, or transmission:
(i) In which the actual individual did not actually perform or appear; or
(ii) That is a version of a sound recording, image, or audiovisual work, in which the
actual individual did perform or appear, where the fundamental character of the
performance or appearance has been materially altered; and
(B) Does not include the electronic reproduction, use of a sample of one sound
recording or audiovisual work into another, remixing, mastering, or digital remastering
of a sound recording or audiovisual work authorized by the copyright holder.
(3) 'Individual' means a human being, living or dead.
(4) 'Interactive computer service' means any information service, system, or access
software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a
computer server, which specifically includes:
(A) A service or system that provides access to the internet; and
(B) Such systems operated, or services offered, by libraries or educational institutions.
(5) 'Online service' means:
(A)(i) Any website, online application, mobile application, or virtual reality
environment that predominantly provides public access to user uploaded material.
(ii) Any digital music provider, as defined in 17 U.S.C. Section 115(e) that provides
public access to user uploaded material if such digital music provider is not covered
under division (i) of this subparagraph.
(iii) Any online application; mobile application; virtual reality environment;
application store; search engine, including any feature that provides web search
results; advertising service or network; online shopping service or platform; electronic
commerce provider; mapping service; cloud storage service; web hosting service; or
any other interactive computer service that is not listed in division (i) of this
subparagraph, which provides public access to user uploaded material and has a
designated agent pursuant to subsection (l) of Code Section 10-1-975; and
(B) Such term does not include any service listed in this paragraph that predominantly
provides public access to user uploaded products or services, the primary function of
which is to distribute, import, transmit, or otherwise make available to the public a
product or service described in paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of Code
Section 10-1-975.
(6) 'Right holder' means the individual whose voice or visual likeness is at issue with
respect to a digital replica or a product or service described in paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of Code Section 10-1-975 and any other individual or entity that has
acquired, through a license, inheritance, or otherwise, the right to authorize the use of
such voice or visual likeness in a digital replica.
(7) 'Sound recording artist' means an individual who creates or performs in sound
recordings for economic gain or for the livelihood of the individual.
(8) 'User uploaded material' means material, such as a video, image, game, audio file, or
other material that is placed on a service directly by or at the direction of an end user of
a service. For purposes of this paragraph, the term 'end user,' with respect to an online
service, shall not include a third-party commercial provider of sound recordings to a
digital music provider, or an employee or agent of the online service acting on behalf of
the provider of the online service.
10-1-971.
(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Code section, each individual or right holder
shall have the right to authorize the use of the voice or visual likeness of such individual
in:
(1) A digital replica; or
(2) In connection with a product or service for which authorization of the individual or
right holder is required to avoid liability with respect to an activity described in
paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of Code Section 10-1-975.
(b) The right described in subsection (a) of this Code section shall have the following
characteristics:
(1) The right is:
(A) A property right;
(B) Not assignable during the life of the individual; and
(C) Licensable, in whole or in part, exclusively or non-exclusively, by the right holder;
(2) The right shall not expire upon the death of the individual, without regard to whether
such right is commercially exploited by the individual during the individual's lifetime;
(3) Upon the death of the individual:
(A) The right is transferable, licensable, in whole or in part, by the executors, heirs,
assignees, licensees, or devisees of the individual; and
(B) Ownership of the right may be:
(i) Transferred, in whole or in part, by any means of conveyance or by operation of
law; and
(ii) Bequeathed by will or passed as personal property by the applicable laws of
intestate succession;
(4) The right shall be exclusive to:
(A) The individual, subject to the licensing of the right during the lifetime of such
individual under subsection (a) of Code Section 10-1-972; and
(B) The right holder:
(i) For a period of ten years after the death of the individual; and
(ii) If the right holder demonstrates active and authorized public use of the voice or
visual likeness of the individual during the two-year period preceding the expiration
of the ten-year period described in division (i) of this subparagraph, for an additional
five-year period, subject to renewal for additional five-year periods, provided that the
right holder can demonstrate authorized public use of the voice or visual likeness of
the individual during the two-year period preceding the expiration of each additional
five-year period; and
(5) The right shall terminate on the date that is the earlier of:
(A) The date on which the ten-year period or five-year period described in
subparagraph (b)(4)(B) of this Code section terminates without renewal; or
(B) The date that is 70 years after the death of the individual.
10-1-972.
(a) A license described in subparagraph (b)(1)(C) of Code Section 10-1-971:
(1) Is valid, while the individual is living, only to the extent that the license duration does
not exceed ten years; and
(2) Shall be valid only if the license agreement:
(A) Is in writing and signed by the individual or an authorized representative of the
individual; and
(B) Includes a reasonably specific description of the intended uses of the digital
replica.
(b) A license as described in subparagraph (b)(1)(C) of Code Section 10-1-971 involving
a living individual who is younger than 18 years of age:
(1) Is valid only to the extent that the license duration does not exceed five years, but in
any case terminates when the individual reaches 18 years of age; and
(2) Shall be valid only if the license agreement:
(A) Is in writing and signed by the individual or an authorized representative of the
individual;
(B) Includes a reasonably specific description of the intended uses of the digital
replica; and
(C) Is approved by a court in accordance with the law of this state.
(c) The provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section shall not apply if the
license is governed by a collective bargaining agreement that addresses digital replicas.
(d) The provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section shall not affect terms and
conditions of a license or related contract other than those described in this Code section,
and the expiration of such license does not affect the remainder of the license or related
contract.
10-1-973.
(a) A post-mortem transfer or license as provided in subparagraph (b)(3)(B) of Code
Section 10-1-971 shall be valid only if the transfer agreement or license agreement is in
writing and signed by the right holder or an authorized representative of the right holder.
(b) The renewal of a post-mortem right under division (b)(4)(B)(ii) of Code
Section 10-1-971 shall be effective if, during the two-year renewal period, the right holder
files a notice with the Secretary of State which shall include:
(1) The name of the deceased individual;
(2) A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the right holder has engaged in active and
authorized public use of the voice or visual likeness during the two-year period;
(3) The identity of and contact information for the right holder; and
(4) Such other information as the Secretary of State may prescribe by regulation.
(c) The Secretary of State shall maintain a current directory of post-mortem digital
replication rights registered under this Code section. Such directory may include voluntary
registrations of the post-mortem right provided in division (b)(4)(b)(ii) of Code
Section 10-1-971. Such directory shall be posted on the appropriate website and available
to the public for inspection. The Secretary of State may require payment of a reasonable
filing fee by the registrant, which may take into consideration the costs of maintaining such
directory.
(d) The right holder may voluntarily register the post-mortem right under
division (b)(4)(B)(ii) of Code Section 10-1-971 by filing a notice with the Secretary of
State that complies with such requirements regarding form, content, and filing procedures
as the Secretary of State may prescribe by regulation.
(e) The Secretary of State may make such interpretations and resolve such ambiguities as
may be appropriate to carry out this article.
(f) The Secretary of State shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement
and administer the provisions of this article.
10-1-974.
A digital replica that is embodied in a sound recording, image, audiovisual work, including
an audiovisual work that does not have any accompanying sounds, or transmission, and the
use of which is authorized pursuant to the terms of a license, may continue to be utilized
in a manner consistent with the terms of that license after the expiration or termination of
the license.
10-1-975.
(a) Any individual or entity that engages in an activity prohibited in subsection (b) of this
Code section shall be liable in a civil action brought under this Code section.
(b) The following activities shall be prohibited pursuant to this article:
(1) The publication, display, distribution, transmission, or communication of, or
otherwise making available to the public a digital replica without consent of the right
holder; or
(2) Distributing, importing, transmitting, or otherwise making available to the public a
product or service that:
(A) Is primarily designed to produce one or more digital replicas of a specifically
identified individual or individuals without the authorization of:
(i) Such individual or individuals;
(ii) The applicable right holder; or
(iii) The laws of this state;
(B) Has only limited commercially significant purpose or use other than to produce a
digital replica of a specifically identified individual or individuals without the
authorization of:
(i) Such individual or individuals;
(ii) The applicable right holder; or
(iii) The laws of this state; or
(C) Is marketed, advertised, or otherwise promoted as a product or service designed to
produce a digital replica of a specifically identified individual by an individual or entity
described in subsection (a) of this Code section or by an individual or entity acting in
concert and with knowledge of such individual or entity, without the authorization of:
(i) Such individual or individuals;
(ii) The applicable right holder; or
(iii) The laws of this state.
(c) To incur liability under this Code section:
(1) An online service provider carrying out an action prohibited under subsection (b) of
this Code section, shall have actual knowledge, which could be obtained through a
notification that satisfies subsection (l) of this Code section, willfully avoided having
such knowledge, or a court order stating that the applicable material is:
(A) A digital replica which was not authorized by the right holder; or
(B) A product or service described in paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of this Code
section; or
(2) An individual or entity, which is not a provider of an online service, carrying out an
action prohibited under subsection (b) of this Code section, shall have actual knowledge,
or must willfully avoid having such knowledge that the applicable material is:
(A) A digital replica which was not authorized by the right holder; or
(B) A product or service described in paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of this Code
section.
(d) It shall not be a violation of subsection (b) of this Code section if:
(1) The digital replica is produced or used in a bona fide news, public affairs, or sports
broadcast or account, provided that the digital replica is the subject of, or is materially
relevant to, the subject of such broadcast or account; or
(2) The digital replica is a representation of the individual in a documentary or in a
historical or biographical context, including some degree of fictionalization, unless:
(A) The production or use of such digital replica creates the false impression that the
work is an authentic sound recording, image, transmission, or audiovisual work in
which the individual participated; or
(B) The digital replica is embodied in a musical sound recording that is synchronized
to accompany a motion picture or other audiovisual work, except to the extent that the
use of such digital replica is protected by the First Amendment to the United States
Constitution;
(3) The applicable digital replica is produced or used in a manner consistent with the
public interest in bona fide commentary, criticism, scholarship, satire, or parody;
(4) The use of the digital replica is fleeting or negligible;
(5) The digital replica is used in an advertisement or commercial announcement for any
purpose described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of this subsection and the digital replica
is relevant to the subject of the work so advertised or announced;
(6) The service provides, by wire or radio, the capability to transmit data to and receive
data from all, or substantially all, internet endpoints, including any capabilities that are
incidental to enable the operation of the communications service of a provider of online
services or network access, or the operator of facilities for such service; or
(7)(A) It is not technologically feasible for the provider of an online service to disable
access to the offending material, or disable the reference or link to such material, at the
specific location identified in the notification sent pursuant to subsection (l) of this
Code section.
(B) Disabling access to the offending material would be prohibited by law.
(e) The exceptions provided in subsection (d) of this Code section shall not apply when
the digital replica is used to depict sexually explicit conduct, as such term is set forth in
Code Section 16-12-100.
(f) No individual or entity shall be directly or secondarily liable for a violation of this Code
section for manufacturing, importing, offering to the public, providing, or otherwise
distributing a product or service unless such product or service is listed in paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of Code Section 10-1-975.
(g) An online service shall not be liable for violating this Code section by referring or
linking to, or violating subsection (b) of this Code section with respect to user uploaded
material, a user to an unauthorized digital replica if:
(1) The provider of an online service, other than a search engine or a search component
of a service, described in division (5)(A)(iii) of Code Section 10-1-970, has adopted,
reasonably implemented, and informed users of the online service of a policy that
provides for the termination in appropriate circumstances of account holders of the online
service that are repeat violators of subsection (b) of this Code section, provided that the
failure to terminate any such account holder in accordance with such policy shall subject
the provider of such online service to potential liability only with respect to content in
violation of subsection (b) of this Code section posted by the account holder; and
(2) Upon receiving notification that satisfies subsection (l) of this Code section:
(A) The provider removes or disables access to the work embodying the claimed
unauthorized digital replica or the product or service specifically identified in a notice
sent under such paragraph, or, as applicable, the link or reference to the unauthorized
digital replica or product or service, as soon as is technically and practically feasible for
such provider;
(B) The provider of an online service described in division (5)(A)(i) or (5)(A)(ii) of
Code Section 10-1-970, as soon as is technically and practically feasible for such
provider, removes or disables access to all other publicly available instances of the
work embodying the claimed unauthorized digital replica which:
(i) Match the digital fingerprint of an unauthorized digital replica specifically
identified in a notification under subsection (l) of this Code section; and
(ii) Are uploaded after valid, applicable notice was submitted to, and processed by,
the provider; and
(C) The provider takes reasonable steps to promptly notify the right holder, and the end
user that uploaded the material, that the online service removed or disabled access to
such material.
(h) An online service shall not be liable for violating this Code section by storing
third-party provided material that resides on a system or network controlled or operated by
or for the online service, or violating subsection (b)of this Code section, specifically, with
respect to user uploaded material if:
(1) The provider of an online service, other than a search engine or a search component
of a service described in division (5)(A)(iii) of Code Section 10-1-970, has adopted,
reasonably implemented, and informed users of the online service of a policy that
provides for the termination in appropriate circumstances of account holders of the online
service that are repeat violators of subsection (b) of this Code section, provided that the
failure to terminate any such account holder in accordance with such policy shall subject
the provider of such online service to potential liability only with respect to content in
violation of subsection (b) of this Code section posted by the account holder; and
(2) Upon receiving notification that satisfies subsection (l) of this Code section:
(A) The provider removes or disables access to the work embodying the claimed
unauthorized digital replica or the product or service specifically identified in a notice
sent under such subsection, or, as applicable, the link or reference to the unauthorized
digital replica or product or service, as soon as is technically and practically feasible for
such provider;
(B) The provider of an online service described in division (5)(A)(i) or (5)(A)(ii) of
Code Section 10-1-970, as soon as is technically and practically feasible for such
provider, removes or disables access to all other publicly available instances of the
work embodying the claimed unauthorized digital replica which:
(i) Match the digital fingerprint of an unauthorized digital replica specifically
identified in a notification under subsection (l) of this Code section; and
(ii) Are uploaded after valid, applicable notice was submitted to, and processed by,
such provider; and
(C) The provider takes reasonable steps to promptly notify the right holder and the end
user that uploaded the material that the online service removed or disabled access to
such material.
(i) An online service shall designate an agent to receive notifications under subsection (l)
of this Code section by making available through the online service, including on the
website of the online service in a location accessible to the public, and by providing to the
Secretary of State, substantially the following information:
(1) The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the agent; and
(2) Other contact information that the Secretary of State may deem appropriate.
(j) The Secretary of State shall maintain a current directory of designated agents for the
purposes of this Code section. Such directory shall be available for public inspection,
including through the internet. The Secretary of State may require payment of a reasonable
filing fee by the online service, which may take into consideration the costs of maintaining
the directory of designated agents.
(k) The failure of an online service to register a designated agent under subsection (i) of
this Code section shall establish that the online service has not undertaken good faith effort
to comply with this Code section.
(l) A notification of a claimed violation of the right described in subsection (a) of Code
Section 10-1-971 shall be a written communication provided to the designated agent of an
online service that includes:
(1) A physical or electronic signature of the right holder, an individual authorized to act
on behalf of such right holder, or an individual identified under subsection (o) of this
Code section;
(2) Identification of the individual, the voice or visual likeness of whom is being used
in an unauthorized digital replica or a product or service described in paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Code section;
(3) Identification of the material containing an unauthorized digital replica, or a product
or service described in paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section, including
information sufficient to allow the online service to locate the identified material;
(4) Information reasonably sufficient to permit the online service to contact the notifying
party, such as an address, telephone number, and email address;
(5) A statement that the notifying party believes in good faith that the material is an
unauthorized use of a digital replica;
(6) If not the right holder or an individual identified under subsection (o) of this Code
section, a statement that the notifying party has the authority to act on behalf of such right
holder; and
(7) For the purposes of subsection (g) of this Code section, information reasonably
sufficient to:
(A) Identify the reference or link to the material or activity claimed to be an
unauthorized digital replica, or a product or service described in paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Code section that is to be removed or to which access is to be
disabled; and
(B) Permit the online service to locate the reference or link described in
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
(m)(1) It shall be unlawful to knowingly materially misrepresent that:
(A) The material requested to be removed is an unauthorized digital replica;
(B) An individual has the authority to act on behalf of the right holder; or
(C) A digital replica, or a product or service described in paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Code section is not authorized by the right holder or by law.
(2) Failure to undertake a good faith review to determine whether material with respect
to which notice is provided under subsection (l) of this Code section qualifies as a digital
replica shall constitute a knowing material misrepresentation under this subsection.
(n) Any individual or entity that violates subsection (m) of this Code section shall be liable
for an amount equal to the greater of:
(1) Any actual damages, including costs and attorney's fees, incurred by the alleged
violator, as well as by any online service injured by the reliance of the online service on
the misrepresentation in removing or disabling access to the material or activity claimed
to be an unauthorized digital replica; or
(2) The amount of $25,000.00 per notification sent pursuant to subsection (m) of this
Code section.
(o) A civil action for a violation of this subsection (b) of this Code section may be brought
by:
(1) The right holder;
(2) If the right holder is an individual younger than 18 years of age, a parent or guardian
of such individual; or
(3) In the case of a digital replica involving a sound recording artist, any individual or
entity that has, directly or indirectly, entered into:
(A) A contract for the exclusive personal services of the sound recording artist as a
sound recording artist; or
(B) An exclusive license to distribute or transmit one or more works that capture the
audio performance of the sound recording artist.
(p) A civil action may not be brought under this Code section unless the action is
commenced not later than three years after the date on which the party seeking to bring the
civil action discovered, or should have discovered, the violation.
(q) It shall not be a defense in a civil action brought under this Code section that the
defendant displayed or otherwise communicated to the public a disclaimer stating that the
digital replica or a product or service described in paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this
Code section was unauthorized or disclosing that the digital replica was generated through
the use of artificial intelligence or other technology.
(r) In any civil action brought under this Code section:
(1) An individual or entity that engages in an activity described in paragraph (2) of
subsection (b) of this Code section shall be liable to the injured party in an amount equal
to the greater of:
(A)(i) In the case of an individual, $5,000.00 per work embodying the unauthorized
digital replica.
(ii) In the case of an online service that has undertaken a good faith effort to comply
with subsection (g) of this Code section, $25,000.00 per work embodying the
unauthorized digital replica.
(iii) In the case of an online service that has not undertaken a good faith effort to
comply with subsection (g) of this Code section, $5,000.00 per display, copy made,
transmission, and instance of the unauthorized digital replica being made available on
the online service in a sum of not more than $750,000.00 per work embodying the
unauthorized digital replica.
(iv) In the case of an entity that is not an online service, $25,000.00 per work
embodying the unauthorized digital replica; or
(B) Any actual damages suffered by the injured party as a result of the activity, plus
any profits from the unauthorized use that are attributable to such use and are not taken
into account in computing the actual damages;
(2) An individual or entity that engages in an activity described in paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Code section shall be liable to the injured party in an amount equal
to the greater of:
(A) In the case of an individual, $5,000.00 per product or service;
(B) In the case of an online service that has undertaken a good faith effort to comply
with subsection (g) of this Code section, $25,000.00 per product or service;
(C) In the case of an online service that has not undertaken a good faith effort to
comply with subsection (g) of this Code section, $750,000.00 per product or service;
(D) In the case of an entity that is not an online service, $25,000.00 per product or
service; or
(E) Any actual damages suffered by the injured party as a result of the activity, plus
any profits from the unauthorized use that are attributable to such use and are not taken
into account in computing the actual damages;
(3) The plaintiff may seek injunctive or other equitable relief;
(4) In the case of willful activity in which the injured party has proven that the defendant
acted with malice, fraud, knowledge, or willful avoidance of knowledge that the conduct
violated the law, the court may award to the injured party punitive damages;
(5) If the party bringing the action prevails, the court shall award reasonable attorney's
fees. If the party defending the action prevails, the court shall award reasonable
attorney's fees if the court determines that the action was not brought in good faith;
(6) An online service that has an objectively reasonable belief that material that is
claimed to be an unauthorized digital replica does not qualify as a digital replica shall not
be liable for statutory or actual damages exceeding $1 million regardless of whether the
material is ultimately determined to be an unauthorized digital replica; and
(7) In the event that the third-party provider of the material that the online service has
removed or to which the online service has disabled access files a lawsuit against the
sender of a notice under subsection (l) of this Code section claiming that such notice was
false or deceptive as provided in subsection (m) of this Code section, the online service
may, provided that the lawsuit was filed not later than 14 days after the user receives
notice that the online service has removed or disabled access to the material, restore the
removed material to its network for access by members of the public without monetary
liability therefor to either the notice sender or third-party provider of the material that the
online service had removed or disabled access.
10-1-976.
(a) A right holder, an individual or entity authorized to act on behalf of a right holder, or
an individual identified under subsection (o) of Code Section 10-1-975 may request the
clerk of any state court of competent jurisdiction to issue a subpoena to a provider of an
online service for identification of an alleged violator of this section in accordance with this
subsection.
(b) A request under subparagraph (a) of this Code section may be made by filing with the
clerk of any state court where venue and jurisdiction are proper:
(1) A copy of a notification described in subsection (l) of Code Section 10-1-975;
(2) A proposed subpoena; and
(3) A sworn declaration indicating that:
(A) The purpose of the subpoena is to obtain the identity of an individual or entity
alleged to be liable under subsection (b) of Code Section 10-1-975; and
(B) Information obtained from such subpoena shall only be used for the purpose of
protecting rights under this article.
(c) A subpoena issued under this Code section shall authorize and order the provider of the
online service to expeditiously disclose information sufficient to identify the alleged
violator by virtue of the activity described in the notification to the extent that information
is available to the provider of the online service.
(d) If a proposed subpoena under this Code section is in proper form, the notification filed
satisfies the requirements under subsection (l) of Code Section 10-1-975, and the
accompanying declaration is properly executed, the clerk of any state court where venue
and jurisdiction are proper shall expeditiously issue and sign the proposed subpoena and
return such subpoena to the requester for delivery to the provider of the online service.
10-1-977.
(a) Nothing in this article shall be construed to abrogate causes of action under federal law.
(b) Liability under this article shall apply only to:
(1) Conduct occurring after the effective date of this article; and
(2) In the case of conduct covered by a license or contract, a license or contract that is
executed after the effective date of this article.
(c) The right granted under subsection (a) of Code Section 10-1-971:
(1) Shall apply to any individual, regardless of whether the individual dies before or after
the date of enactment of this article; and
(2) In the case of a right holder who has died before the date of enactment of this article,
shall vest in the executors, heirs, assigns, or devisees of the right holder.
(d) Except as expressly provided in paragraph (2) of subsection (g) of Code
Section 10-1-975, nothing in this section shall be construed to require the provider of an
online service to:
(1) Monitor the online service for, or affirmatively seek facts about, any digital replica;
or
(2) Gain access to material."
SECTION 3.
All provisions of this Act shall be severable in accordance with Code Section 1-1-3.
SECTION 4.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
A Georgia House bill would create a new state-level property right protecting people's voice and visual likeness from unauthorized AI-generated 'digital replicas,' with civil penalties for violators and special rules for online platforms, minors, and deceased individuals.
### Plain-language summary
Georgia law currently has no specific statute addressing AI-generated 'digital replicas' that mimic a person's voice or appearance without permission. This bill, called the NO FAKES Act of 2026, would add a new article to Georgia's trade practices code creating a property right that lets individuals (or their heirs after death) control the use of their voice and visual likeness in realistic AI-generated media.
The bill defines key terms like 'digital replica' and 'online service,' sets licensing rules (including special protections requiring court approval for minors), and creates a post-mortem right lasting at least ten years after death, renewable up to 70 years total. It establishes civil liability for unauthorized use, with damages ranging from $5,000 to $750,000 depending on the violator, exceptions for news, documentaries, satire, and parody, a notice-and-takedown process for online platforms, and a role for the Secretary of State in maintaining registries of post-mortem rights and platform contact agents. The law would apply only to conduct occurring after it takes effect.
### What it does
- Creates a new property right letting individuals and their heirs control unauthorized AI-generated 'digital replicas' of their voice or visual likeness.
- Sets licensing rules requiring written, signed agreements, with stricter limits (5-year cap, court approval) for individuals under 18.
- Establishes a post-mortem right lasting at least 10 years after death, renewable in 5-year increments up to a maximum of 70 years, if active public use is shown.
- Creates civil penalties for unauthorized digital replicas ranging from $5,000 per work for individuals to $750,000 per work for online services acting in bad faith.
- Requires online services to designate an agent to receive takedown notices and register that agent with the Secretary of State, or be presumed not acting in good faith.
- Lists exceptions for news reporting, documentaries, commentary, criticism, satire, and parody, and lets courts award punitive damages and attorney's fees in cases of willful violations.
### Who it affects
The bill affects performers, sound recording artists, actors, and any Georgian whose voice or likeness could be digitally replicated by AI. It also affects heirs of deceased people with commercially valuable likenesses, online platforms and social media services, AI tool developers, and news organizations and documentary producers relying on the bill's exceptions.
### Why it matters
If enacted, Georgians (and public figures whose estates are managed here) would gain a legal tool to sue over AI deepfakes made without permission, and online platforms would face new takedown obligations and potential liability. The law would shape how AI voice and image tools can be built, marketed, and used in Georgia.
### Key provisions
- Code Section 10-1-970 defines terms including 'digital replica,' 'online service,' 'right holder,' and 'digital fingerprint,' setting the scope of what counts as a protected replica.
- Code Section 10-1-971 establishes the right as a non-assignable-during-life but licensable property right that survives death for at least 10 years, extendable to 70 years total.
- Code Section 10-1-972 sets licensing conditions, capping license length at 10 years for adults and 5 years (or until age 18) for minors, requiring court approval for minors' licenses.
- Code Section 10-1-973 directs the Secretary of State to maintain a public directory of registered post-mortem digital replication rights and allows fees for registration.
- Code Section 10-1-975 defines prohibited activities (unauthorized digital replicas and tools primarily designed to create them), sets a notice-and-takedown process, and lists exceptions for news, documentaries, satire, and parody, except for sexually explicit content.
- Code Section 10-1-975(n) and (r) set damages: $25,000 per notice for false takedown claims, and $5,000 to $750,000 per work for unauthorized digital replicas depending on the type of violator.
- Code Section 10-1-976 allows right holders to request a subpoena from a state court clerk to identify anonymous online violators.
- Code Section 10-1-977 limits the law to conduct occurring after its effective date and clarifies it does not require online services to actively monitor for violations.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2025-02-21)
- Last action: House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (2026-02-25)
- Sponsors: Soo Hong, Todd Jones, Kasey Carpenter, Spencer Frye, Stan Gunter, Eric Bell
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70646
> The history, votes, and amendments (319 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb566.md?full=1