Law has the scoop.
"The estate of legendary sports announcer John Facenda has scored another major victory in its court battle with NFL Films that centers on whether Facenda's distinctive voice -- known in football circles as the "Voice of God" -- was improperly used in a promotional film for a John Madden video game.
In its 60-page opinion in Facenda v. NFL Films Inc., a unanimous three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that NFL Films violated Pennsylvania's "right of publicity" statute.
Now the only issue left to be decided on that claim is how much Facenda's estate should be awarded in damages.
The panel rejected NFL Films' argument that the "standard release" contract Facenda signed was a "complete defense," noting that while the release gave the NFL the right to use Facenda's voice in future film projects, it also explicitly prohibited any use that would "constitute an endorsement" of any product."
In its 60-page opinion in Facenda v. NFL Films Inc., a unanimous three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that NFL Films violated Pennsylvania's "right of publicity" statute.
Now the only issue left to be decided on that claim is how much Facenda's estate should be awarded in damages.
The panel rejected NFL Films' argument that the "standard release" contract Facenda signed was a "complete defense," noting that while the release gave the NFL the right to use Facenda's voice in future film projects, it also explicitly prohibited any use that would "constitute an endorsement" of any product."
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