Reworked publicity rights proposal passes Arkansas panel

LITTLE ROCK — A publicity rights proposal vetoed by Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchison has been revived, reworked and passed by a Senate committee.

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday advanced a bill that is still similar to one vetoed by Hutchinson on Tuesday. The bill doesn't contain language that the Motion Picture Association of America said was too broad and could lead to frivolous lawsuits.

The original bill was filed after the family of legendary Arkansas football coach Frank Broyles worried that his likeness could be misused.

The replacement bill would establish a right of publicity to prevent an unwanted use of someone's likeness that could be extended 50 years after death.

A Broyles attorney said his family supports the reworked bill. A Hutchinson spokesman didn't immediately return a request for comment.

Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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