Johnny Cash’s Estate Sues Coca-Cola Over Soundalike Ad

By Editorial Team

The estate of legendary musician Johnny Cash has filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola in Tennessee federal court. The lawsuit alleges that Coca-Cola used a soundalike singer to imitate Cash’s “distinctive bass-baritone” voice in a television commercial without proper consent. The estate claims that this unauthorized use violates the federal Lanham Act and a new Tennessee publicity rights law.

The lawsuit, filed by Johnny Cash’s estate, has brought attention to the issue of unauthorized use of a deceased celebrity’s likeness or voice for commercial purposes. This case highlights the importance of protecting the intellectual property rights of artists and their estates.

The legal action was initiated by the estate’s legal representation, Loeb & Loeb, against The Coca-Cola Co. in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

This lawsuit underscores the significance of obtaining proper authorization for the use of an individual’s voice or likeness in commercial advertisements. It also serves as a reminder of the legal consequences that can arise from unauthorized exploitation of a celebrity’s image or voice.