Image Rights
The Guernsey Image Rights Registry is open for
business. Guernsey Image Rights enable the registrant to protect
their personality and image rights in a formal way for the first
time anywhere in the world.
The application process consists of 2 parts - personality rights
and underlying image rights. There are 5 categories of personality
rights, namely:
Individual
Joint
Personality - 2 or more persons who are connected
and the constituent parts of which can not change - think Morecambe
& Wise, Ant & Dec.
Group - 2
or more persons who are connected and the constituent parts of
which can change - think Queen, The England Footbal Team
Fictional
Character - this can be either of a human or a
non-human, so for example James Bond or Buzz Lightyear
Legal
Entity - this category allows corporations to
register as a personality, for example Disney or Coca-Cola
Once the personality rights
have been registered, it is then possible to register the image
rights associated with that personality. The list of potential
types of images is wide, and allows for the registration of the
following:
- Still images
- Moving Images
- Catchphrases
- Other names the personality is
know by
- Computer generated
images
- The voice of the
personality
- Mannerisms
- Gestures
This list is not exhaustive but
illustrates the potential for these indicia to be registered on a
formal basis for the first time.
In order for us to make an application as
a Guernsey Image Rights Registered Agent, we will require the
following information from you:
1. The (real) name(s) and
address(es) of the personality
2. The name that the
personality goes by if different from 1. above.
3. The name and address of
the proprietor of the rights
4. If the proprietor of the
rights is different to the personality themselves, then we would
need to see evidence of the chain of title i.e. assignment
documents
5. An authorisation from
either the personality or the proprietor, allowing us to make an
application on their behalf
6. A representative image of
the personality (this is not as a registered image right, but is
for the Registry records)
7. Copies of images
associated with the personality that are to be registered.
Full details of the fees
involved in making an application are contained within the document
below.
Useful
documents
If you have any questions
please do not hesitate to contact either David Evans or Jason Romer