Ohio deepfake bill built on name image and likeness law raises First Amendment concerns

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two Ohio state lawmakers are looking to the state’s name, image and likeness laws to address the spread of deepfakes.

They contend the provisions allowing a college football player to make money appearing in a commercial also offer a good framework to protect everyday Ohioans.

The sponsors portray their plan as a way to address a “growing threat” without reinventing the wheel, and their idea has the backing of Ohio’s attorney general. But the Motion Picture Association worries the changes will stifle free expression.

Ohio state Rep. Adam Mathews, R-Lebanon, explained Ohio House Bill 185 removes a provision in Ohio’s NIL law limiting protections to people whose likeness has “commercial value,” when it used for a commercial purpose.

“This gives it to all of those that ma