Image rights are a legal concept that protects against the unauthorised use of a person’s image. This right is based on the principles of privacy and individual autonomy, which allow everyone to control the dissemination of their image, whether in the form of a photograph, video, or any other visual medium. This right is recognised in many legal systems and aims to prevent a person’s image from being used for commercial, public, or other purposes without their explicit consent.
Under this right, any person, whether famous or anonymous, has the power to authorise or refuse the use of their image by third parties. Obtaining this authorisation is particularly important in a commercial context, for example, when images are used for advertising campaigns or derivative products. Failure to respect image rights may result in legal action for invasion of privacy or damage to a person’s image.
There are exceptions to this right, including situations where the image is in the public interest, such as when public figures are performing their duties or at events of public importance. However, even in these contexts, the use of the image must be balanced with respect for the individual’s privacy.
In some countries, image rights are explicitly regulated by law, while in others they are dealt with within the broader framework of privacy rights. Failure to respect these rights may result in damages for the harm caused, reflecting the growing recognition of the importance of protecting personal identity and individual dignity in modern society.