Guernsey States approves image rights law
A move to make Guernsey the first place in the world to introduce specific legislation to protect image rights has been backed by the States.
The Commerce and Employment Department, which put forward the plans, said it hoped the legislation would be in place before the London Olympics in 2012.
The aim is to allow anyone in the world to regulate how their image is used commercially.
It could potentially generate millions of the pounds for the island.
Commerce and Employment Minister Carla McNulty Bauer said: "Image rights will be a unique selling point and will assist in the international management of the rights.
"They are a high value commercial asset that are central to commercial contracts for rights holders, yet for which there is no adequate provision in law.
"Ensuring such protection will provide the Bailiwick with an attractive proposition for commerce and industry."
The administration will be handled by the Intellectual Property Office, which is part of the Guernsey Registry.
An image right is defined as the right to control the commercial use of a person's identity and images associated with that person, including distinctive expressions, characteristics or attributes.