Johnny Cash Estate Sues Coca-Cola in Landmark ELVIS Act Voice Lawsuit

The estate of Johnny Cash is suing Coca-Cola. The lawsuit alleges the company illegally used a sound-alike singer to imitate the late musician’s iconic voice. The case was filed in a Nashville federal court this week.

This is the first major lawsuit filed under Tennessee’s new ELVIS Act. The groundbreaking law was designed to protect artists from unauthorized voice replication.

Coca-Cola Accused of “Pirating” a Legend’s Voice

The legal complaint centers on a commercial that aired during college football games. According to the estate, the ad features a voice that sounds “remarkably” like Johnny Cash. The voice is allegedly that of professional tribute performer Shawn Barker.

The estate’s manager, the John R. Cash Revocable Trust, claims Coca-Cola never requested a license. This is despite the company knowing the value of Cash’s likeness. The case was first reported by Billboard.

Cash’s estate does license his intellectual property for legitimate uses. His songs have been featured in major events like the Super Bowl. For this specific ad, however, the trust says it was completely bypassed.

Setting a Precedent for Artist Rights Nationwide

The lawsuit seeks a court order to stop the ad from airing immediately. It also demands financial damages for the alleged violation of Cash’s rights. The case tests the strength of the new Tennessee law.

The ELVIS Act was largely created to combat AI deepfakes and voice clones. This case, however, involves a human impersonator. It shows the law’s broad application beyond just artificial intelligence.

The outcome could set a powerful precedent. It may influence how courts handle similar voice imitation cases across the country. Artists’ estates are watching closely.

This landmark ELVIS Act lawsuit highlights the ongoing battle to protect artistic identity in the modern age, ensuring legends like Johnny Cash are not digitally resurrected without consent.

Thought you’d like to know

What is the ELVIS Act?

The ELVIS Act is a Tennessee law enacted in 2024. It expands the state’s right of publicity to explicitly protect an individual’s voice from unauthorized use. This includes protections against AI clones and human impersonators.

Did Coca-Cola use AI to copy Johnny Cash’s voice?

The lawsuit does not allege that artificial intelligence was used. It claims the voice belongs to a human tribute artist named Shawn Barker. The case focuses on the unauthorized imitation of the singer’s distinctive vocal style.

What does the Johnny Cash estate want from this lawsuit?

The estate is seeking a court injunction to pull the ad from the air. It is also pursuing financial damages for the alleged violation of Cash’s publicity rights under the new Tennessee law.

Has the Cash estate licensed his music before?

Yes, the trust has licensed Cash’s songs for major campaigns in the past. Tracks like “Ragged Old Flag” and “Personal Jesus” have been used in Super Bowl telecasts with proper permission and compensation.

Why is this case significant?

It is the first major test of the ELVIS Act. The result could shape how artist voices, both living and deceased, are legally protected from imitation in advertising and media.