Key Aspects of the Amendments to the Federal Labor Law and the Federal Copyright Law.

On May 14, 2026, a Decree amending and supplementing various provisions of the Federal Labor Law and the Federal Copyright Law, regarding the rights of performer and artist employees, was published in the Official Gazette (Diario Oficial de la Federación).

Among the main changes introduced by this reform are the following:

1. It establishes that agreements governing the employment relationship of performers and artists must expressly include the terms and compensation related to the use of their image, voice, and performances through artificial intelligence or other technologies.
2. It broadens the legal protection granted to voices, images, and artistic performances, establishing that any cloning, simulation, or use thereof through artificial intelligence systems or other technologies shall require express consent and, in certain cases, specific compensation, particularly where such use may imply the substitution of the artist’s professional services.
3. It also regulates advertising and digital agreements in greater detail, requiring the parties to specify the applicable term, territories, platforms, and distribution channels, as well as certain conditions relating to exclusivity, non-compete obligations, and subsequent amendments to the agreement.
4. The reform also contemplates improved working conditions for artists, including the obligation to provide adequate workplaces, such as safe, hygienic, and comfortable dressing rooms.
5. It incorporates the possibility of processing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms before the Copyright Institute (INDAUTOR) through in-person, online, or hybrid proceedings.
6. It establishes sanctions for the improper use of images, voices, or performances through artificial intelligence systems or other technologies, thereby strengthening the legal framework protecting artists against new forms of technological exploitation.

The Decree entered into force on May 15, 2026, and provides for the amendment of the Regulations to the Federal Copyright Law within the following 60 days.

This reform strengthens the legal framework applicable to performers and artists in light of the challenges arising from the use of artificial intelligence and new technologies in the exploitation of creative and advertising content.

At Cuesta Campos, we have extensive experience in the protection, management, and enforcement of intellectual property assets, as well as in the design of strategies tailored to this new regulatory landscape. We remain at your disposal for any questions or specialized legal advice.

Contact

Lorena Pinto

lpinto@cuestacampos.com

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