Name attribution

Name attribution means that a person is identified as a contributor in or in connection with a publication, for example in the credits, the scene title, the description on a platform, or a caption. For performers, the question is almost never whether they want to be named, but which name should be used.

Right to recognition

Copyright law grants performing artists the right to be recognized as such in relation to their performance. This includes having a say in whether and under which name they are identified. It is part of neighboring rights and has a personality-rights aspect, so it cannot be sold arbitrarily like a right of use.

The attribution can nevertheless be arranged by contract. It is customary for the contract to specify the name under which you appear and for the production to undertake to use only that name. The extent to which a complete waiver of any attribution is legally effective depends on the individual case.

Stage name, real name, or none at all

In the adult industry, the stage name is the norm. It protects your privacy and at the same time becomes the brand under which productions, fans, and platforms can find you. Your real name belongs in the contract header, for identity verification, and for accounting, but not in the publication.

Some people consciously choose not to be identified at all, for example in productions where their face is not recognizable. This is possible, but it must be stated in the contract. Without a provision, the production decides how it labels scenes, and distributors often carry over whatever they find. A subsequent correction is then laborious because it has to pass through every level of the distribution chain.

A stage name has an effect over many years. If you change it later, the old scenes will continue to be found under the old name. The article Choosing a stage name explains which criteria matter when selecting one.

Where attribution can go wrong

The most common problems do not arise when something is first published, but later: A distributor uses an incorrect name in metadata, a compilation lists you under another person’s name, or a real name appears in file names or documents sent to third parties. The more licensing levels there are, the greater this risk becomes.

If your real name is published contrary to the agreement, this is not only a breach of contract but may also affect your personality rights and data protection. In such cases, prompt documentation and legal assistance are advisable. Information on protecting your identity is also available under Safety.

What the contract should regulate regarding attribution

• the name under which you are identified, written out exactly
• that your real name does not appear in any publication, metadata, or file name
• that licensees are bound by the same requirement
• whether you can demand an adjustment if you change your name later

This entry explains the term and does not replace legal advice.