Using someone's image in advertising without consent can be penalized
Right to one's own image. Articles 87 and 231, section II, of the Federal Copyright Law do not violate freedom of expression or of the press, nor the right of access to information.
Official heading (Spanish): DERECHO A LA PROPIA IMAGEN. LOS ARTÍCULOS 87 Y 231, FRACCIÓN II, DE LA LEY FEDERAL DEL DERECHO DE AUTOR NO VULNERAN LAS LIBERTADES DE EXPRESIÓN Y DE IMPRENTA, NI EL DERECHO DE ACCESO A LA INFORMACIÓN.
The ruling
A broadcaster promoted a TV series using a person's image without authorization, and IMPI fined it under article 231, section II, of the Federal Copyright Law. The SCJN Plenary held that requiring consent for profit-driven use of an image is a valid limit on freedom of expression.
Our take
This is binding Plenary precedent and leaves little room. The line is purpose: if an image is used to sell, promote or attract customers, consent is required, even when the photo was taken in a public place. In our experience the exposure lies less in formal campaigns than in social media, corporate events and recruiting material featuring employees, clients or attendees. Image releases should sit in every campaign file as a standard document, not an afterthought. Obtaining them costs little compared with a commercial infringement proceeding.
What to do
- Audit live campaigns and social channels for identifiable people used without a written release.
- Add an express, limited image-rights license to employment and vendor agreements.
- Collect attendee consent before using event photos for promotional purposes.
Details
- Court
- SCJN Plenary
- Type
- Binding precedent (jurisprudencia)
- Identifier
- P./J. 214/2026 (12a.)
- Digital registry
- 2032844
- Published
- October 30, 2026
- Area
- Administrative and other
- View official source ↗
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Prepared by Artegia for information only; not legal advice. Headings in English are unofficial translations. The official text is the one published in the Semanario Judicial de la Federación or the TFJA journal.