This lawsuit alleges that Avvo is violating the Illinois Right of Publicity Act. The Act provides: “A person may not use an individual’s identity for commercial purposes during the individual’s lifetime without having obtained previous written consent from the appropriate person or persons.” There is a fine for each such usage.
I don’t believe this lawsuit has any merit at all as Avvo has a First Amendment right to post information on attorneys who are licensed by a state. In sum, Avvo is urging a construction of the Act that is unconstitutional.
Edward X. Clinton, Jr.
Legal Ethics Lawyer 