Denmark Passes World’s First Copyright Law for Your Face, Voice, and Body
Denmark has made history by becoming the first country to legally protect your face, voice, and body under copyright-style laws. This groundbreaking legislation, expected to take effect by late 2025, gives individuals full control over how their likeness is used digitally.
What’s Changing?
Your image and voice are now automatically protected from birth. You won’t need to register anything. As a result, you can decide how your likeness appears online or in AI-generated media.
The law aims to stop deepfakes and other manipulative content by giving people stronger rights in the digital era.
Your New Rights Under the Law
You can demand the removal of AI-generated content that uses your image or voice without permission. This applies no matter the intent behind it.
You can also seek financial compensation for unauthorized use, even if it causes no reputational harm. In addition, tech platforms and social media hosts must act fast to remove illegal content or face heavy fines under the EU Digital Services Act.
Who Is Protected?
Everyone—ordinary citizens and public figures alike. Protection extends 50 years after death, allowing families to defend digital legacies.
Parody, satire, and news content remain allowed, but courts will monitor for misuse.
Why It Matters
AI has made it easy to copy anyone’s voice or face. Denmark’s law offers a powerful safeguard for digital dignity and identity ownership.
As Denmark prepares to lead the EU Council in late 2025, it plans to promote similar protections across Europe.
In this new age, Denmark sends a clear message: You are your own intellectual property.
