Plain Text Law

Title 19. Miscellaneous State Business Regulation — Subtitle 5. Use of a Deceased Soldier's Identity

Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.

Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 19-501 (2026)
Title 19. Miscellaneous State Business Regulation
Subtitle 5. Use of a Deceased Soldier's Identity

§ 19–501Copy Citation

This subtitle does not apply to:
(1)
the use of an active service member’s name, portrait, picture, or image in an attempt to portray, describe, or impersonate that active service member in a live performance, single and original work of fine art, play, book, article, film, musical work, radio or television programming, or other audio or audiovisual work, if the performance, fine art, play, book, article, film, musical work, radio or television programming, or other audio or audiovisual work does not constitute a commercial advertisement for any product, good, ware, or merchandise;
(2)
the use of an active service member’s name, portrait, picture, or image for noncommercial purposes, including any news, public affairs, or sports broadcast or account;
(3)
the use of an active service member’s name in truthfully identifying the active service member as the author of a particular work or program or as the performer in a particular performance;
(4)
any promotional materials, advertisements, or commercial announcements for a use described in item (1), (2), or (3) of this section;
(5)
unless the exhibition is continued by the professional photographer after written notice objecting to the exhibition by a person with the authority to grant consent for use under § 19–503 of this subtitle, the use of photographs, video recordings, and images by a person practicing professional photography to exhibit, in or about the professional photographer’s place of business or portfolio, samples of the professional photographer’s work;
(6)
the use of an active service member’s picture, portrait, or image that is not facially identifiable; and
(7)
a photograph of a monument or a memorial that is placed on any product, good, ware, or merchandise.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 19-502 (2026)
Title 19. Miscellaneous State Business Regulation
Subtitle 5. Use of a Deceased Soldier's Identity

§ 19–502Copy Citation

A person may not knowingly use the name, portrait, picture, or image of an active service member killed in the line of duty within the previous 50 years in advertising for the sale of a product, good, ware, merchandise, or service, for the purpose of gaining a commercial advantage, without obtaining prior consent for use from the active service member or the surviving spouse, the personal representative, or the majority of the heirs of the deceased active service member.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 19-503 (2026)
Title 19. Miscellaneous State Business Regulation
Subtitle 5. Use of a Deceased Soldier's Identity

§ 19–503Copy Citation

A person who violates § 19–502 of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,500 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.