The Briefing by Weintraub Tobin The Man In Black v. Coca Cola: The New Soundalike Showdown
Dec 12, 2025
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Did Coca-Cola cross the line by using a Johnny Cash soundalike in its nationwide “Fan Work is Thirsty Work” campaign? In this episode of The Briefing, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Scott Hervey and Richard Buckley unpack the Cash estate’s lawsuit and what it reveals about the evolving law of soundalikes.
In this episode, they cover:
- How Tennessee’s new Elvis Act expands protection for voices and vocal imitation
- Why the Cash estate is also asserting a Lanham Act false endorsement claim
- How Midler v. Ford and Waits v. Frito-Lay continue to shape soundalike disputes
- The line between imitating a musical “style” and misappropriating a distinctive voice
- What brands and agencies should consider before using tribute artists or AI vocals
Tune in here for a clear look at where right of publicity, soundalike law, and advertising practice collide.