William McGeveran

William McGeveran

Dean
William S. Pattee Professor of Law

Prof. McGeveran Advocates Against PRINCE Act

Professor William McGeveran, an expert in privacy and trademark law, has been quoted by multiple media outlets objecting to a proposed bill in the Minnesota Legislature, the “Personal Rights in Names Can Endure Act” — that is, the “PRINCE Act.” The bill, creating Minnesota's first post-mortem publicity rights for celebrities, was proposed in response to the death of music legend and Minnesota icon Prince. Prof. McGeveran wrote an article on the Star Tribune opinion page raising concerns about the impact of the bill on individual speech and criticizing the speed with which the bill was moving during the chaotic end of the legislative session. Prof. McGeveran also testified against the bill at a hearing of the Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee, and was interviewed by the Associated Press, MPR News, KSTP-TV and Fox 9 News.