State Senate Passes Bill to Prohibit the Unauthorized Use of the Image or Name of Any Military Member

State Senator John A. DeFrancisco (R-I-C, Syracuse) announced that his bill S3036, which would establish a crime for the unauthorized use of the name or image of any military member for commercial purposes, passed the New York State Senate today, March 24, 2014. 

The legislation would make it a class E felony for a commercial enterprise to use the image, name or likeness of a current, former or deceased member of the military or organized militia of New York without the written consent of that individual or his or her family. 

“There have been several incidents where firms have used the names of fallen soldiers on items, such as t-shirts or signs, without concern for the soldier or the soldier’s family,” said Senator DeFrancisco.  “It is critically important that we protect the privacy of these brave men and women who have already sacrificed so much to protect our country.”

The bill has been sent to the Assembly.

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