06/23/2025
🗞️ No More Leaving the Lights On - NIL Rights Not Just For College Athletes 🗞️
In 2025 the phrase “name image and likeness” generally brings to mind college athletes like Arch Manning, Livvy Dunne and Cooper Flagg. But, as a recent lawsuit filed in New York federal court reminds us, NIL rights are not limited to sports fields. Tom Bodett, the legendary voice behind Motel 6 and its “We’ll leave the light on for you” slogan, has filed a lawsuit against Motel 6’s new owners. In the lawsuit, Bodett claims that Motel 6’s new owners—following the acquisition by the India-based hospitality group OYO—failed to make a scheduled $1.2 million annual payment in January 2025 as required by the longstanding contract with Bodett. The lawsuit further claims that even after Bodett formally ended the agreement in early 2025, Motel 6 continued to use his voice and name in recorded phone messages and advertising materials.
The lawsuit was filed in the Southern District Court of New York; a trial date has not yet been set. IPC will be keeping a watchful eye as this intellectual property dispute unravels!
IPC’s attorneys routinely assist clients with name, image and likeness disputes, right of publicity disputes and other trademark-related matters. The firms attorneys handle these disputes across the country, including the Southern District of New York. Our attorneys with expert litigation experience would be delighted to assist in protecting your intellectual property portfolio. Connect with us via the link below!
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Article Link: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/longtime-motel-6-spokesman-tom-bodett-sues-chain-over-using-his-name-voice-2025-06-10/
Tom Bodett, known for his radio and TV ads telling travelers that at Motel 6 "we'll leave the light on for you," has sued the motel chain for using his name and voice without permission, after their nearly four-decade relationship broke down.