#4: Bette Midler and the Right to a Voice That Sounds Like Hers (Legal dispute: 1988)
Bette Midler successfully challenged an advertising campaign after a car manufacturer hired another vocalist to deliberately imitate her distinctive singing voice. Although the commercial never used Midler’s name, the imitation was recognizable enough that listeners associated it with her. The court ruled that a famous voice could constitute a protected aspect of a person’s identity even without direct copyright protection. This groundbreaking decision expanded publicity rights beyond photographs and physical appearances. Advertisers suddenly faced greater legal risks when attempting to imitate celebrities without permission.
