The Performers Who Rewrote American Law

Tom Waits built his musical identity around a voice unlike anyone else’s, making it instantly recognizable to audiences. When a snack company hired another singer to deliberately imitate his gravelly vocal style for a commercial, Waits sued, arguing that the imitation falsely suggested his endorsement. The court ruled in his favor, reinforcing the idea that a celebrity’s voice is a protected element of personal identity. The decision strengthened principles first established in earlier publicity-rights cases while expanding their practical application. Advertisers could no longer rely on “sound-alike” performers to avoid liability.