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Robin Williams Trust Bans 'Exploitation' Of His Image For 25 Years

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Though Robin Williams’ family is currently in dispute over the division of his personal property, it appears that the late actor had firm plans for the use – or misuse – of his own image.

Through The Robin Williams Trust, the actor handed over the rights of use of his name, signature, photograph and likeness to the Windfall Foundation, a charitable organisation which was set up for him by his legal representatives.

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What it means is that there can be no unauthorised use of Williams until August 2039, meaning that his face won’t be allowed to appear in adverts, or otherwise misuse his image or likeness.

So that means no digitally stitching him into any films either, or projecting a hologram of stand-up routines.

“It’s interesting that Williams restricted use for 25 years,” attorney Laura Zwicker told The Hollywood Reporter.

“I haven’t seen that before. I’ve seen restrictions on the types of uses — no Coke commercials for example — but not like this. It could be a privacy issue.”

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It’s move that will stop any future technologies from potentially resurrecting Williams’ image for commercial gain.

Michael Jackson’s estate is currently being pursued by the IRS in the US over money made from his image posthumously, to the tune of $500 million.

The move sits aside the current dispute between Williams’ wife Susan and his children Zachary, Zelda and Cody over his personal possessions.

They have now said that they do not plan to settle the dispute in court, but will meet to resolve the matter, according to the Associated Press.

Reports say that the children want their father’s clothing, jewellery, and personal pictures taken before his third marriage to Susan, while she wants to keep her wedding presents, the suit Williams wore at their wedding and photographs taken at his 60th birthday celebrations.

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Image credits: AP