{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/8.01-40.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/8.01-40.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/8.01-40.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/8.01-40.html"}],"law_id":377265,"edition_id":2,"section_id":377265,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-40","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of name or picture of any person; punitive damages; statute of limitations","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 8-650; 1977, c. 617; 2015, c. 710.","full_text":"A\n\nAny person whose name, portrait, or picture is used without having first obtained the written consent of such person, or if dead, of the surviving consort and if none, of the next of kin, or if a minor, the written consent of his or her parent or guardian, for advertising purposes or for the purposes of trade, such persons may maintain a suit in equity against the person, firm, or corporation so using such person’s name, portrait, or picture to prevent and restrain the use thereof; and may also sue and recover damages for any injuries sustained by reason of such use. And if the defendant shall have knowingly used such person’s name, portrait or picture in such manner as is forbidden or declared to be unlawful by this chapter, the jury, in its discretion, may award punitive damages.\n\nB\n\nNo action shall be commenced under this section more than 20 years after the death of such person.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1407986,"text":"Any person whose name, portrait, or picture is used without having first obtained the written consent of such person, or if dead, of the surviving consort and if none, of the next of kin, or if a minor, the written consent of his or her parent or guardian, for advertising purposes or for the purposes of trade, such persons may maintain a suit in equity against the person, firm, or corporation so using such person’s name, portrait, or picture to prevent and restrain the use thereof; and may also sue and recover damages for any injuries sustained by reason of such use. And if the defendant shall have knowingly used such person’s name, portrait or picture in such manner as is forbidden or declared to be unlawful by this chapter, the jury, in its discretion, may award punitive damages.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1407987,"text":"No action shall be commenced under this section more than 20 years after the death of such person.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":53611,"edition_id":2,"name":"Injury to Person or Property","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":3,"parent_id":53562,"metadata":{"child_laws":32,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:19:22","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:11","permalink":{"id":1507697,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53611,"identifier":"3","token":"8.01\/3\/3","url":"\/8.01\/3\/3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":53562,"edition_id":2,"name":"Actions","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":5,"parent_id":53558,"metadata":{"child_laws":357,"child_structures":31},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:18:33","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:10","permalink":{"id":1506637,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53562,"identifier":"3","token":"8.01\/3","url":"\/8.01\/3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":53558,"edition_id":2,"name":"Civil Remedies and Procedure","identifier":"8.01","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":12,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1095,"child_structures":142},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:18:32","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:09","permalink":{"id":1504031,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53558,"identifier":"8.01","token":"8.01","url":"\/8.01\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":377166,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-34","catch_line":"When contribution among wrongdoers enforced","url":"\/8.01-34\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-34","metadata":false},{"id":377180,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-35","catch_line":"Damages for loss of income not diminished by reimbursement","url":"\/8.01-35\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-35","metadata":false},{"id":377179,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-35.1","catch_line":"Effect of release or covenant not to sue in respect to liability and contribution","url":"\/8.01-35.1\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-35.1","metadata":false},{"id":377193,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-36","catch_line":"Joinder of action of tort to infant with action for recovery of expenses incurred thereby and claim for recovery of expenses by infant","url":"\/8.01-36\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-36","metadata":false},{"id":377205,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-37","catch_line":"Recovery of lost wages in action for injuries to emancipated infant","url":"\/8.01-37\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-37","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Hutto v. Bic Corp.","case_number":"Civ. A. 91-644-N","citation":"800 F. Supp. 1367","date":"1992-08-07","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1393546\/hutto-v-bic-corp\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 800 F.Supp. 1367 (1992) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"}}}},{"id":377204,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-37.1","catch_line":"Claims for medical services provided by United States; proof of reasonable value","url":"\/8.01-37.1\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-37.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Hutto v. Bic Corp.","case_number":"Civ. A. 91-644-N","citation":"800 F. Supp. 1367","date":"1992-08-07","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1393546\/hutto-v-bic-corp\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 800 F.Supp. 1367 (1992) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"}}}},{"id":377223,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-38","catch_line":"Tort liability of hospitals","url":"\/8.01-38\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-38","metadata":false},{"id":377222,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-38.1","catch_line":"Limitation on recovery of punitive damages","url":"\/8.01-38.1\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-38.1","metadata":false},{"id":377238,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-39","catch_line":"Completion or acceptance of work not bar to action against independent contractor for personal injury, wrongful death or damage to property","url":"\/8.01-39\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-39","metadata":false},{"id":377265,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-40","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of name or picture of any person; punitive damages; statute of limitations","url":"\/8.01-40\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-40","metadata":false},{"id":377260,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-40.1","catch_line":"Action for injury resulting from violation of Computer Crimes Act; limitations","url":"\/8.01-40.1\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-40.1","metadata":false},{"id":377261,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-40.2","catch_line":"Unsolicited transmission of advertising materials by facsimile machine","url":"\/8.01-40.2\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-40.2","metadata":false},{"id":377262,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-40.3","catch_line":"Unauthorized dissemination, etc., of criminal history record information; civil action","url":"\/8.01-40.3\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-40.3","metadata":false},{"id":377263,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-40.4","catch_line":"Civil action for unlawful creation of image of another or unlawful dissemination or sale of images of another","url":"\/8.01-40.4\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-40.4","metadata":false},{"id":377264,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-40.5","catch_line":"Publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the Internet","url":"\/8.01-40.5\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-40.5","metadata":false},{"id":377283,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-41","catch_line":"Wrongful distraint, attachment","url":"\/8.01-41\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-41","metadata":false},{"id":377322,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-42","catch_line":"Loss or injury to clothing in dyeing, dry cleaning, or laundering","url":"\/8.01-42\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-42","metadata":false},{"id":377316,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-42.1","catch_line":"Civil action for racial, religious, or ethnic harassment, violence or vandalism","url":"\/8.01-42.1\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-42.1","metadata":false},{"id":377317,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-42.2","catch_line":"Liability of guest for hotel damage","url":"\/8.01-42.2\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-42.2","metadata":false},{"id":377318,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-42.3","catch_line":"Civil action for stalking","url":"\/8.01-42.3\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-42.3","metadata":false},{"id":377319,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-42.4","catch_line":"Civil action for trafficking in persons","url":"\/8.01-42.4\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-42.4","metadata":false},{"id":377320,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-42.5","catch_line":"Civil action for female genital mutilation","url":"\/8.01-42.5\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-42.5","metadata":false},{"id":377321,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-42.6","catch_line":"Liability of employer for personal injury or death by wrongful act","url":"\/8.01-42.6\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-42.6","metadata":false},{"id":377347,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-43","catch_line":"Action against parent for damage to public property by minor","url":"\/8.01-43\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-43","metadata":false},{"id":377366,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-44","catch_line":"Action against parent for damage to private property by minor","url":"\/8.01-44\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-44","metadata":false},{"id":377359,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-44.1","catch_line":"Immunity from civil liability of members of certain committees, etc","url":"\/8.01-44.1\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-44.1","metadata":false},{"id":377360,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-44.2","catch_line":"Action against physician for vaccine-related injury or death","url":"\/8.01-44.2\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-44.2","metadata":false},{"id":377361,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-44.3","catch_line":"Divulgence of communications by qualified interpreters and communications assistants","url":"\/8.01-44.3\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-44.3","metadata":false},{"id":377362,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-44.4","catch_line":"Action for shoplifting and employee theft","url":"\/8.01-44.4\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-44.4","metadata":false},{"id":377363,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-44.5","catch_line":"Punitive damages for persons injured by intoxicated drivers","url":"\/8.01-44.5\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-44.5","metadata":false},{"id":377364,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-44.6","catch_line":"Action for injury to cemetery property","url":"\/8.01-44.6\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-44.6","metadata":false},{"id":377365,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-44.7","catch_line":"Action for tampering with metering device and diverting service","url":"\/8.01-44.7\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-44.7","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":377238,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-39","catch_line":"Completion or acceptance of work not bar to action against independent contractor for personal injury, wrongful death or damage to property","url":"\/8.01-39\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-39","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":377260,"structure_id":53611,"section_number":"8.01-40.1","catch_line":"Action for injury resulting from violation of Computer Crimes Act; limitations","url":"\/8.01-40.1\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-40.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-40\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1977, chapter 617; in 2015, chapter 710<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1507735,"object_type":"law","relational_id":377265,"identifier":"8.01-40","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-40","url":"\/8.01-40\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-40\/","token":"8.01\/3\/3\/8.01-40","dublin_core":{"Title":"Unauthorized use of name or picture of any person; punitive damages; statute of limitations","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-40","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any person<\/span> whose name, portrait, or picture is used without having first obtained the written consent of such person<\/span>, or if dead, of the surviving consort and if none, of the next of kin, or if a minor<\/span>, the written consent of his or her parent or guardian, for advertising purposes or for the purposes of trade, such persons<\/span> may maintain a suit<\/span> in equity<\/span> against the person<\/span>, firm, or corporation so using such person<\/span>’s name, portrait, or picture to prevent and restrain the use thereof; and may also sue and recover damages<\/span> for any injuries sustained by reason of such use. And if the defendant<\/span> shall have knowingly used such person<\/span>’s name, portrait or picture in such manner as is forbidden or declared to be unlawful by this chapter, the jury<\/span>, in its discretion, may award punitive damages<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No action<\/span> shall be commenced under this section more than 20 years after the death of such person<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nUNAUTHORIZED USE OF NAME OR PICTURE OF ANY PERSON; PUNITIVE DAMAGES; STATUTE OF\nLIMITATIONS (\u00a7 8.01-40)\n\nA. Any person whose name, portrait, or picture is used without having first\nobtained the written consent of such person, or if dead, of the surviving\nconsort and if none, of the next of kin, or if a minor, the written consent of\nhis or her parent or guardian, for advertising purposes or for the purposes of\ntrade, such persons may maintain a suit in equity against the person, firm, or\ncorporation so using such person’s name, portrait, or picture to prevent\nand restrain the use thereof; and may also sue and recover damages for any\ninjuries sustained by reason of such use. And if the defendant shall have\nknowingly used such person’s name, portrait or picture in such manner as\nis forbidden or declared to be unlawful by this chapter, the jury, in its\ndiscretion, may award punitive damages.\n\nB. No action shall be commenced under this section more than 20 years after the\ndeath of such person.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 8-650; 1977, c. 617; 2015, c. 710.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}