The NY newsworthiness exception for appropriation is interpreted broadly.

• A. Not recognized
• B. Broadly
• C. Applies only to ads
• D. Narrowly

Answer: (B)

In New York, the newsworthiness exception to misappropriation is interpreted broadly. This means that using a person’s name or likeness in a context that is newsworthy or of public interest is not actionable, even if it could be seen as benefiting someone in connection with a story or event. The protection extends beyond strictly traditional news reports to a wide range of media and contexts where the primary purpose is to inform the public about something of interest, rather than to promote the person’s own commercial brand. Uses that are purely promotional or advertising-driven, with no public-interest or news context, would not fall under this exception. So the statement that it is interpreted broadly best captures how New York treats this defense.