rights
Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) Rights
Definition
The right to use a person's name, image, and likeness for commercial purposes. In influencer contracts, NIL rights define how the brand can use the creator's identity—including photos, videos, voice recordings, and digital representations.
For Creators
Your name, face, and identity are your brand. Granting NIL rights to a company means they can use your identity to sell products. Always define the scope clearly: which channels, for how long, and whether your likeness can be used in AI-generated content.
For Brands
A clear NIL rights grant is essential for brands running creator-based campaigns across paid media and owned channels. Courts have found that unclear NIL grants do not transfer rights—always draft these provisions explicitly.
⚠ Red Flag Warning
Avoid any agreement granting the right to use your likeness to create AI-generated content, deepfakes, or synthetic versions of yourself. This emerging issue is not yet fully addressed in most standard creator contracts.
Sample Contract Language
“Creator grants Brand a limited, non-exclusive license to use Creator's name, photograph, likeness, image, voice, and biographical information solely in connection with the promotion of the Product on the Approved Channels during the Term. Brand shall not alter Creator's likeness or use it in any manner that would be disparaging to Creator.”
Related Terms
Appears in 9 contracts
Browse related contracts →Contracts containing this term
License Agreement (Kathy Ireland / NuGene)
kathy ireland Worldwide, Inc. (CA) · November 4, 2014 · EDGAR
Endorsement Agreement (Shaquille O'Neal / Papa John's 2019)
Papa John's International · March 15, 2019 · EDGAR
Professional Services Agreement / Brand Ambassador (CBD Products)
Tauriga Sciences Inc. (Delaware) · September 24, 2020 · EDGAR
Brand Ambassador Agreement (Jillian Michaels / Giggles N' Hugs v1)
Giggles N' Hugs, Inc. (Nevada) · February 28, 2017 · EDGAR
Talent Agreement (NABUFIT / Talent)
NABUFIT Global Inc. · 2017 · EDGAR
Brand Ambassador Agreement (Jillian Michaels / Giggles N' Hugs v2)
Giggles N' Hugs, Inc. (Nevada) · 2018 · EDGAR
License and Preservation Agreement (Laird Hamilton & Gabrielle Reece / Laird Superfood)
Laird Superfood, Inc. · May 26, 2020 · EDGAR
License Agreement (Cardi B / Whipshots)
Whipshots, LLC (Wyoming) · September 14, 2021 · EDGAR
Talent Contract (Chef Woo / Borealis Foods)
Borealis Foods Inc. · April 1, 2023 · EDGAR