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Johnny Cash Estate Sues Coca-Cola Over Voice Theft

12/1/2025

Summary

Story summary

The estate of Johnny Cash filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola in Tennessee, alleging Coca-Cola unlawfully used tribute artist Shawn Barker to mimic Cash's voice in a college football commercial.
The suit cites Tennessee's ELVIS Act, which protects individuals' voices from unauthorized exploitation.
The estate seeks removal of the advertisement and $75,000 in damages.
Cash's attorney Tim Warnock said that stealing an artist's voice is theft, and Coca-Cola has not commented.

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Story summary

The estate of Johnny Cash filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola in Tennessee, alleging Coca-Cola unlawfully used tribute artist Shawn Barker to mimic Cash's voice in a college football commercial.
The suit cites Tennessee's ELVIS Act, which protects individuals' voices from unauthorized exploitation.
The estate seeks removal of the advertisement and $75,000 in damages.
Cash's attorney Tim Warnock said that stealing an artist's voice is theft, and Coca-Cola has not commented.