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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 151 (from laksa112)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa151.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://mashable.com/article/distracted-boyfriend-meme-18th-century-version-twitter\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://mashable.com/article/distracted-boyfriend-meme-18th-century-version-twitter\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/distracted-boyfriend-meme-18th-century-version-twitter","crawl_time":1773745204,"first_indexed_time":1624498216,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,mashable!\/article\/distracted-boyfriend-meme-18th-century-version-twitter s443","src_root_hash":"7998629827906806751","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Creators, do you own your likeness? Are you sure? How to avoid the perpetuity trap.","meta_descriptions":["A Twitter user found a painting from the 1700s that looks remarkably similar to the distracted boyfriend meme."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"They're even making the same face.\nThe distracted boyfriend meme — that image in which a man checks out one woman while holding hands with another — gained popularity\nlast summer\n, used to explain moral dilemmas like choosing between dealing with responsibilities or taking a nap. (The answer is always take a nap.)\nThe original image is just one piece of a\nmulti-part stock photo series\nabout love, infidelity, and the breakdown of a toxic relationship. And, upon further investigation, it seems this format (like the behavior itself?) has been around for at least a few centuries.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nTwitter user @ELXGANZA found the \"18th-century equivalent\" of the meme, which portrays a similar scenario: a man torn between two women as his partner looks understandably offended.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThe original distracted boyfriend meme is a 1761 painting by English artist Joshua Reynolds. It depicts his friend and actor, David Garrick, caught between two women who are supposed to symbolize Comedy and Tragedy. The\nTate Modern\n, where the painting is on display, calls this piece \"one of the most important of his entire career.\"\nAccording to the Tate, \"The subject was probably Garrick’s own idea: a playful parody of the classical story of Hercules choosing between pleasure and virtue, designed to emphasise Garrick’s versatility.\"\nMashable Trend Report\nOriginal image has been replaced.\nCredit: Mashable\nComedy, dressed in a revealing pink dress, playfully tugs Garrick away from Tragedy, who looks absolutely disgusted while holding his hand — almost just like in the beloved distracted boyfriend meme.\nThey're even wearing the same color!\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nAnd Comedy has no regrets.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nTwitter users responded with 18th century-appropriate versions of the distracted boyfriend.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nAfter their newfound Twitter fame, @ELXGANZA posted one, too.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nIf you find yourself in London and want to see the original image for yourself, it's on display in\nRoom 8\nof the Tate Modern.\nProtect yourself from AI and the perpetuity trap.\nCredit: Getty Images \/ Plume Creative \/ DigitalVision\nAn up-and-coming creator gets offered their first brand deal. It’s enough money to pay their rent, but not nearly enough to hire a lawyer to look over the contract, so they sign it. A few months later, they see their face on a billboard or in a commercial without their consent.\nThis isn’t a hypothetical, says lawyer\nMichelle May O’Neil\n, whom I met at\nSXSW\nin Austin, Texas, after her panel, “\nWho Owns Me? Legal War Over Identity in the Creator Economy\n.” O’Neil is a nationally recognized lawyer, litigation strategist, and expert on NIL (name, image, likeness) topics, and she’s warning creators to pay very close attention to contracts with brands.\nHowever, it’s not just shady contracts and legalese that can strip creators of their likeness. In the AI era, creators are also facing AI clones and deepfakes that steal their voice and image.\nDuring her panel, O’Neil explained how creators can lose control of their online identity, and some of her examples took me by surprise. She highlighted the case of\nKat and Mike Stickler\n, the married TikTok influencers who ended up in a bitter feud over their shared social media accounts during a messy divorce.\n“As a lawyer, we say fair is a four-letter word, so there's not really a fair concept in the law. There's just the law, and it applies,” O’Neil said. “The tech is moving so fast, and the world is moving so fast, that it's difficult because there's not a lot of law that protects you, but we want to do the best we can.\"\nSo, what do creators need to know about their name, image, and likeness, and how can they protect themselves?\nPlease note that the content of this article does not constitute legal advice. Consult your own lawyer before making any big decisions.\nIt’s not identity theft if you give it away. Avoid the perpetuity trap.\nWhen signing contracts with brands or social media companies, O’Neil warns creators to look for specific contract language that companies might try to sneak into a contract:\nPerpetual \/ in perpetuity\nAll media now known or later developed\nDerivative works\nSublicensable\nIrrevocable\nO’Neil says an offending clause might look like this: “Creator grants Brand a perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable right to use Creator's name, image, likeness and voice in all media now known or later developed.”\n“If you sign a bad contract and you don't read it, and you kind of do what one of the girls at the bar the other night said [she did] to me. She said, ‘Well, I mean, I just signed the contract they gave me. Because who am I? Like, if I don't sign what they give me, I'm not going to get the brand deal.’ And I get that, but she signed away a lot of rights.”\nI heard this same sentiment in a separate SXSW panel featuring YouTube icons Rhett and Link.\nIn a panel on the creator economy, Rhett McLaughlin said many young creators feel like they can’t say no to brand deals at first.\n“If you're a brand, you might be dealing with a lot of people who are young and inexperienced, even if they might be working with somebody who's representing them,” Rhett McLaughlin said. “And then you've got, you know, people who are either working in another job and beginning doing some creating on the side, or they're just young, and $1,000 is like, ‘Oh shit, $1,000, yes! I'm just gonna say yes. Whatever you just asked me to do for $1,000, I'm gonna say yes to it.” And brands know, in a lot of situations, they can go out and just pay 40 different creators $1,000 to get a message out there.”\nWhen I asked O’Neil what kind of recourse someone might have if they sign away rights to their likeness in perpetuity, she had a blunt response.\n“If they sign it, they sign it,” O’Neil told me. \"I think once you sign it, you're done. That’s why it’s important. And that's why the lawyers for those platforms, that's why they make the big bucks, right?”\nAdd language to contracts to protect yourself\nLawyer Michelle May O’Neil speaks at SXSW 2026.\nCredit: Timothy Werth \/ Mashable\nThere are some important steps creators can take when negotiating contracts.\nFor instance, you could ask for a sunset clause. This way, you’re licensing your likeness for a specific period of time, not “in perpetuity.”\nCreators can also ask for additional language rather than demanding brands delete specific clauses.\n“Don't fight to delete the clause. Add a clause. So instead of taking out the all media clause, add an exclusion. Add a carve-out. Say, ‘Okay, you can say all media, but I want to say excluding AI-generated or synthetic representations of me.”\nAnd speaking of AI...\nTechnology moves much faster than the law\nWe’re living in a world where deepfakes are commonplace. I reported on\ndeepfakes in YouTube Ads depicting celebrities\nlike Oprah and Hoda Kotb, despite all the moderation tech YouTube uses to filter bad ads. Using widely available tools, bad actors can now take a short video clip and create an AI clone of you that can do or say almost anything.\nCreators need to be proactive in protecting their likeness from AI clones. Major actors and writers unions have been\nnegotiating for AI protections in contracts\nwith studios, but unfortunately, creators don’t have a union to rely on.\n“You know, if you're gonna do an audiobook with Simon & Schuster and they don't want to agree to let you reserve your AI clone of your audio voice, maybe you shouldn't do that deal,” O’Neil said.\nAgain, you can also ask for specific clauses that carve out an exception for AI clones.\nLLCs and trademark law\nIn addition to bad contracts, O’Neil warned about two other ways creators lose their identity. First, they fail to create a legal entity, such as an LLC, for conducting business. A business entity creates a wall between you and your business asset, aka your likeness and your content.\nIn addition, some creators fail to trademark their key franchises, trademarks, and ideas. And, crucially, they may also fail to defend their trademark, which can come back to haunt them if they ever do go to court.\nUnfortunately, while there are laws in Western countries to protect a creator’s likeness or right of publicity, international protections can be much weaker — or nonexistent.\nO’Neil raised the example of a recent AI deepfake video that\nshowed Tom Cruise fighting Brad Pitt\non a rooftop in a non-existent movie. She said Cruise was eventually able to get American companies to take down the video, but it remains online in many places.\nAnd if Cruise, with all of his money and the protections of actors’ unions, can’t protect his likeness, small-time creators have almost no chance at all. \nPut the family Instagram account in the pre-nup\nFinally, as in the\nfamous divorce case of Kat and Mike Stickler\n, if you’re creating content with a partner, make sure you have a plan for the dissolution of that partnership. Even if you only appear occasionally in your partner’s content, make sure they don’t retain a right to your likeness in the event of a breakup or divorce. \nThat might even mean putting your Instagram and TikTok accounts in a pre-nup.\nAI is the problem, not the solution\nFinally, AI might seem like both the problem and the solution for creators who can’t afford a lawyer. After all, plenty of actual attorneys are now using ChatGPT,\neven if they shouldn’t be\n. But O’Neil cautioned creators from relying on AI chatbots for legal advice.\nUltimately, ChatGPT is not a lawyer, and OpenAI has even been\nsued for practicing law without a license\n, most recently in March. Asking Claude, Gemini, or ChatGPT to review or redline a contract might be tempting, but ultimately, only an actual human lawyer can give you legal advice, as\nsome people have learned the hard way\n.\nWe’re living in a brave new AI world, and the creator economy still lacks the regulations that protect businesses in other industries.\nSo, creators, protect yourself and your likeness, because no one else will.\nSome of the quotes in this story have been lightly edited for clarity and grammar.\nDisclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.\nTech Editor\nTimothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.\nTim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.\nEvery year the bracket drops, the internet loses its mind. This year was no different.\nCredit: Melina Pizano\/Getty Images\nMarch Madness is here. The field is set for the\n2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament\n, and Selection Sunday did exactly what Selection Sunday always does — gave 68 fanbases a reason to either celebrate or lose their minds on social media. The discourse was, as tradition demands, extremely annoying.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThe biggest flashpoint was the treatment of the Miami Redhawks — Miami, Ohio, not the other one — who were begrudgingly admitted into the tournament as a play-in team despite finishing with the first undefeated regular season since the 2020-21 Gonzaga Bulldogs. For months, pundits and fans spent an exhausting amount of energy debating whether the Redhawks would even deserve an at-large bid if they so much as dropped a single game. They finally did, falling in the MAC Championship quarterfinals, and apparently, going 31-1 still wasn't enough to earn any respect from the committee.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nInstead of a clean Round of 64 berth, Miami (OH) now has to survive the First Four — the tournament's opening round play-in bracket featuring the four lowest-seeded at-large teams and the four weakest conference champions. Even still, people are not happy.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThe selection committee's decision to keep Auburn out, however,\nwas met with widespread approval\nfrom pretty much everyone who isn't an Auburn fan. The War Eagles' omission was made all the more satisfying by the weeks of national airtime eaten up by former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl — father of current Auburn coach Steven Pearl — passionately lobbying for a team with 16 losses to leapfrog a squad that went 31-1. The college basketball world heard the argument, considered it, and was very glad the committee did not.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nOutside of the Miami (OH) and Auburn discourse, Selection Sunday and the return of March Madness this year mean a great collection of really good tweets.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nThis Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.\nWhere to get a printable March Madness bracket?\nIf you like to keep things old school, there are several places to find printable, color brackets for this year's Men's\nand\nWomen's tournaments.\nThey can be found, linked here, over at the websites of\nESPN\n,\nCBS Sports\n,\nYahoo Sports\n,\nThe Athletic\n,\nUSA Today\n, and, of course, the\nNCAA's official website\n. They can also be found on most local news sites as well.\nAssistant Editor, General Assignments\nChance Townsend is the General Assignments Editor at Mashable, covering tech, video games, dating apps, digital culture, and whatever else comes his way. He has a Master's in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is a proud orange cat father. His writing has also appeared in PC Mag and\nMother Jones\n.\nIn his free time, he cooks, loves to sleep, and greatly enjoys Detroit sports. If you have any tips or want to talk shop about the Lions, you can reach out to him on Bluesky \n@offbrandchance.bsky.social\n or by email at \n[email protected]\n.","attrs_markdown":"[The Mashable 101](https:\/\/mashable.com\/mashable-101-top-creators-2025) [Creator Hub](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/creators) [Tech](https:\/\/mashable.com\/tech) [Science](https:\/\/mashable.com\/science) [Life](https:\/\/mashable.com\/life) [Social Good](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/social-good) [Entertainment](https:\/\/mashable.com\/entertainment) [Deals](https:\/\/mashable.com\/deals) [Shopping](https:\/\/mashable.com\/shopping) [Games](https:\/\/games.mashable.com\/)\n\nSearch\n\nCancel\n\n[The Mashable 101](https:\/\/mashable.com\/mashable-101-top-creators-2025)\n\n[Creator Hub](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/creators)\n\nTech\n\n[Apps & Software](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/apps-software) [Artificial Intelligence](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/artificial-intelligence) 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window)\")\n\n[Share on Flipboard](https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fdistracted-boyfriend-meme-18th-century-version-twitter&title=Someone+found+the+18th-century+version+of+the+distracted+boyfriend+meme \"(opens in a new window)\")\n***\nThe distracted boyfriend meme — that image in which a man checks out one woman while holding hands with another — gained popularity [last summer](http:\/\/knowyourmeme.com\/memes\/distracted-boyfriend \"(opens in a new window)\"), used to explain moral dilemmas like choosing between dealing with responsibilities or taking a nap. (The answer is always take a nap.)\n\nThe original image is just one piece of a [multi-part stock photo series](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/distracted-boyfriend-meme-backstory) about love, infidelity, and the breakdown of a toxic relationship. And, upon further investigation, it seems this format (like the behavior itself?) has been around for at least a few centuries.\n\nSEE ALSO:\n\n[Cartoon from the 1920s is an incredibly old-school meme](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/1920s-cartoon-meme)\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/gxngstawifi\/status\/900580223137263616 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nTwitter user @ELXGANZA found the \"18th-century equivalent\" of the meme, which portrays a similar scenario: a man torn between two women as his partner looks understandably offended.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/ELXGANZA\/status\/985872179005984769 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nThe original distracted boyfriend meme is a 1761 painting by English artist Joshua Reynolds. It depicts his friend and actor, David Garrick, caught between two women who are supposed to symbolize Comedy and Tragedy. The [Tate Modern](http:\/\/ \"(opens in a new window)\"), where the painting is on display, calls this piece \"one of the most important of his entire career.\"\n\nAccording to the Tate, \"The subject was probably Garrick’s own idea: a playful parody of the classical story of Hercules choosing between pleasure and virtue, designed to emphasise Garrick’s versatility.\"\n\nMashable Trend Report\n\nDecode what’s viral, what’s next, and what it all means.\n\nSign up for Mashable’s weekly Trend Report newsletter.\n\nUse this instead\n\nBy clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.ziffdavis.com\/terms-of-use \"(opens in a new window)\") and [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.ziffdavis.com\/ztg-privacy-policy \"(opens in a new window)\").\n\nThanks for signing up\\!\n\n![Original image replaced with Mashable logo](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/03EXy4bMJ5FwHocYO4PtXB4\/images-1.fill.size_2000x1583.v1611695461.jpg)\n\nOriginal image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable\n\nComedy, dressed in a revealing pink dress, playfully tugs Garrick away from Tragedy, who looks absolutely disgusted while holding his hand — almost just like in the beloved distracted boyfriend meme.\n\nThey're even wearing the same color\\!\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/R3dLeprechaun\/status\/985990251175993344 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nAnd Comedy has no regrets.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/dxnvts\/status\/985881344420077569 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nTwitter users responded with 18th century-appropriate versions of the distracted boyfriend.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheHipsterRebbe\/status\/985925617609854976 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheHipsterRebbe\/status\/985927053211029504 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/KitsuneAlicia\/status\/985921310504243200 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nAfter their newfound Twitter fame, @ELXGANZA posted one, too.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/ELXGANZA\/status\/985975429344489476 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nIf you find yourself in London and want to see the original image for yourself, it's on display in [Room 8](http:\/\/www.tate.org.uk\/whats-on\/tate-britain\/exhibition\/joshua-reynolds-creation-celebrity\/joshua-reynolds-creation-0-8 \"(opens in a new window)\") of the Tate Modern.\n\n***\n**Featured Video For You**\n***\n***\n\nTopics [X\/Twitter](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/twitter) [Memes](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/memes)\n\n![Mashable Potato](https:\/\/mashable.com\/images\/seamless-keep-scrolling.png)\n\n[Home](https:\/\/mashable.com\/) \\> [Life](https:\/\/mashable.com\/life) \\> [Digital Culture](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/digital-culture)\n\n# Creators, do you own your likeness? Are you sure? How to avoid the perpetuity trap.\nProtect yourself from AI and the perpetuity trap.\n\nBy\n\n[Timothy Beck Werth](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/timothy-beck-werth)\n\n![headshot of timothy beck werth, a handsome journalist with great hair](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/authors\/01B50WYJv6qIekM8haNgEad\/image.fill.size_1406x1406.v1744924400.jpg)\n\nTimothy Beck Werth\n\nTech Editor\n\nTimothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.\n\n[Read Full Bio](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/timothy-beck-werth)\n\non\n\nMarch 17, 2026\n\n[Share on Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fhow-creators-can-protect-their-name-image-likeness-sxsw-2026 \"(opens in a new window)\")\n\n[Share on Twitter](https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fhow-creators-can-protect-their-name-image-likeness-sxsw-2026&text=Creators%2C+do+you+own+your+likeness%3F+Are+you+sure%3F+How+to+avoid+the+perpetuity+trap. \"(opens in a new window)\")\n\n[Share on Flipboard](https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fhow-creators-can-protect-their-name-image-likeness-sxsw-2026&title=Creators%2C+do+you+own+your+likeness%3F+Are+you+sure%3F+How+to+avoid+the+perpetuity+trap. \"(opens in a new window)\")\n\n![woman with doodles and color streaks on face](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/04t3PYTqYkM4WkLNiD2nhAQ\/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1773702383.jpg)\n\nCredit: Getty Images \/ Plume Creative \/ DigitalVision\n***\n\nAn up-and-coming creator gets offered their first brand deal. It’s enough money to pay their rent, but not nearly enough to hire a lawyer to look over the contract, so they sign it. A few months later, they see their face on a billboard or in a commercial without their consent.\n\nThis isn’t a hypothetical, says lawyer [Michelle May O’Neil](https:\/\/themichellemayoneil.com\/ \"(opens in a new window)\"), whom I met at [SXSW](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/sxsw) in Austin, Texas, after her panel, “[Who Owns Me? Legal War Over Identity in the Creator Economy](https:\/\/schedule.sxsw.com\/2026\/events\/PP1162364 \"(opens in a new window)\").” O’Neil is a nationally recognized lawyer, litigation strategist, and expert on NIL (name, image, likeness) topics, and she’s warning creators to pay very close attention to contracts with brands.\n\nHowever, it’s not just shady contracts and legalese that can strip creators of their likeness. In the AI era, creators are also facing AI clones and deepfakes that steal their voice and image.\n\nDuring her panel, O’Neil explained how creators can lose control of their online identity, and some of her examples took me by surprise. She highlighted the case of [Kat and Mike Stickler](https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/lifestyle\/relationships\/tiktok-influencers-marriage-divorce-youtube-instagram-a73c0e34 \"(opens in a new window)\"), the married TikTok influencers who ended up in a bitter feud over their shared social media accounts during a messy divorce.\n\n“As a lawyer, we say fair is a four-letter word, so there's not really a fair concept in the law. There's just the law, and it applies,” O’Neil said. “The tech is moving so fast, and the world is moving so fast, that it's difficult because there's not a lot of law that protects you, but we want to do the best we can.\"\n\nSo, what do creators need to know about their name, image, and likeness, and how can they protect themselves?\n\n*Please note that the content of this article does not constitute legal advice. Consult your own lawyer before making any big decisions.*\n\nSEE ALSO:\n\n[The Mashable 101: The creators shaping the internet in 2025](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/the-mashable-101-page)\n## It’s not identity theft if you give it away. Avoid the perpetuity trap.\nWhen signing contracts with brands or social media companies, O’Neil warns creators to look for specific contract language that companies might try to sneak into a contract:\n\n- **Perpetual \/ in perpetuity**\n- **All media now known or later developed**\n- **Derivative works**\n- **Sublicensable**\n- **Irrevocable**\n\nO’Neil says an offending clause might look like this: “Creator grants Brand a perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable right to use Creator's name, image, likeness and voice in all media now known or later developed.”\n\n“If you sign a bad contract and you don't read it, and you kind of do what one of the girls at the bar the other night said \\[she did\\] to me. She said, ‘Well, I mean, I just signed the contract they gave me. Because who am I? Like, if I don't sign what they give me, I'm not going to get the brand deal.’ And I get that, but she signed away a lot of rights.”\n\nI heard this same sentiment in a separate SXSW panel featuring YouTube icons Rhett and Link.\n\nIn a panel on the creator economy, Rhett McLaughlin said many young creators feel like they can’t say no to brand deals at first.\n\n“If you're a brand, you might be dealing with a lot of people who are young and inexperienced, even if they might be working with somebody who's representing them,” Rhett McLaughlin said. “And then you've got, you know, people who are either working in another job and beginning doing some creating on the side, or they're just young, and \\$1,000 is like, ‘Oh shit, \\$1,000, yes! I'm just gonna say yes. Whatever you just asked me to do for \\$1,000, I'm gonna say yes to it.” And brands know, in a lot of situations, they can go out and just pay 40 different creators \\$1,000 to get a message out there.”\n\nWhen I asked O’Neil what kind of recourse someone might have if they sign away rights to their likeness in perpetuity, she had a blunt response.\n\n“If they sign it, they sign it,” O’Neil told me. \"I think once you sign it, you're done. That’s why it’s important. And that's why the lawyers for those platforms, that's why they make the big bucks, right?”\n\n## Add language to contracts to protect yourself\n![lawyer Michelle May O’Neil speaks at sxsw 2026](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/04t3PYTqYkM4WkLNiD2nhAQ\/images-1.fill.size_2000x1125.v1773702383.jpg)\n\nLawyer Michelle May O’Neil speaks at SXSW 2026. Credit: Timothy Werth \/ Mashable\n\nThere are some important steps creators can take when negotiating contracts.\n\nFor instance, you could ask for a sunset clause. This way, you’re licensing your likeness for a specific period of time, not “in perpetuity.”\n\nCreators can also ask for additional language rather than demanding brands delete specific clauses.\n\n“Don't fight to delete the clause. Add a clause. So instead of taking out the all media clause, add an exclusion. Add a carve-out. Say, ‘Okay, you can say all media, but I want to say excluding AI-generated or synthetic representations of me.”\n\nAnd speaking of AI...\n\n## Technology moves much faster than the law\nWe’re living in a world where deepfakes are commonplace. I reported on [deepfakes in YouTube Ads depicting celebrities](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/youtube-ai-video-ads) like Oprah and Hoda Kotb, despite all the moderation tech YouTube uses to filter bad ads. Using widely available tools, bad actors can now take a short video clip and create an AI clone of you that can do or say almost anything.\n\nCreators need to be proactive in protecting their likeness from AI clones. Major actors and writers unions have been [negotiating for AI protections in contracts](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/sag-aftra-actors-strike-ai-streaming) with studios, but unfortunately, creators don’t have a union to rely on.\n\n“You know, if you're gonna do an audiobook with Simon & Schuster and they don't want to agree to let you reserve your AI clone of your audio voice, maybe you shouldn't do that deal,” O’Neil said.\n\nAgain, you can also ask for specific clauses that carve out an exception for AI clones.\n\n## LLCs and trademark law\nIn addition to bad contracts, O’Neil warned about two other ways creators lose their identity. First, they fail to create a legal entity, such as an LLC, for conducting business. A business entity creates a wall between you and your business asset, aka your likeness and your content.\n\n***\nRelated Stories\n***\n\n- [I'm an admin assistant for adult creators — here's what my day is like](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/admin-assistant-for-adult-content-creators)\n- [What to expect from tech at SXSW 2026: Creator tools and so much AI](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/what-to-expect-sxsw-2026)\n- [Short-form video creator Kyle Krueger shares the tech essentials he's come to rely on](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/kyle-krueger-creator-essentials-in-my-bag)\n\nIn addition, some creators fail to trademark their key franchises, trademarks, and ideas. And, crucially, they may also fail to defend their trademark, which can come back to haunt them if they ever do go to court.\n\nUnfortunately, while there are laws in Western countries to protect a creator’s likeness or right of publicity, international protections can be much weaker — or nonexistent.\n\nO’Neil raised the example of a recent AI deepfake video that [showed Tom Cruise fighting Brad Pitt](https:\/\/www.pcmag.com\/news\/did-that-viral-tom-cruise-brad-pitt-ai-fight-scene-get-a-green-screen-assist \"(opens in a new window)\") on a rooftop in a non-existent movie. She said Cruise was eventually able to get American companies to take down the video, but it remains online in many places.\n\nAnd if Cruise, with all of his money and the protections of actors’ unions, can’t protect his likeness, small-time creators have almost no chance at all.\n\n## Put the family Instagram account in the pre-nup\nFinally, as in the [famous divorce case of Kat and Mike Stickler](https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/lifestyle\/relationships\/tiktok-influencers-marriage-divorce-youtube-instagram-a73c0e34 \"(opens in a new window)\"), if you’re creating content with a partner, make sure you have a plan for the dissolution of that partnership. Even if you only appear occasionally in your partner’s content, make sure they don’t retain a right to your likeness in the event of a breakup or divorce.\n\nThat might even mean putting your Instagram and TikTok accounts in a pre-nup.\n\n## AI is the problem, not the solution\nFinally, AI might seem like both the problem and the solution for creators who can’t afford a lawyer. After all, plenty of actual attorneys are now using ChatGPT, [even if they shouldn’t be](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/over-120-court-cases-caught-ai-hallucinations-new-database). But O’Neil cautioned creators from relying on AI chatbots for legal advice.\n\nUltimately, ChatGPT is not a lawyer, and OpenAI has even been [sued for practicing law without a license](https:\/\/www.abajournal.com\/news\/article\/openai-sued-for-practicing-law-without-a-license \"(opens in a new window)\"), most recently in March. Asking Claude, Gemini, or ChatGPT to review or redline a contract might be tempting, but ultimately, only an actual human lawyer can give you legal advice, as [some people have learned the hard way](https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/legal\/legalindustry\/openai-hit-with-lawsuit-claiming-chatgpt-acted-an-unlicensed-lawyer-2026-03-05\/ \"(opens in a new window)\").\n\nWe’re living in a brave new AI world, and the creator economy still lacks the regulations that protect businesses in other industries.\n\nSo, creators, protect yourself and your likeness, because no one else will.\n\n*Some of the quotes in this story have been lightly edited for clarity and grammar.*\n***\n*Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.*\n\nTopics [SXSW](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/sxsw) [Creators](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/creators)\n\n![headshot of timothy beck werth, a handsome journalist with great hair](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/authors\/01B50WYJv6qIekM8haNgEad\/image.fill.size_100x100.v1744924400.jpg)\n\nTimothy Beck Werth\n\nTech Editor\n\nTimothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.\n\nTim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.\n\n![Mashable Potato](https:\/\/mashable.com\/images\/seamless-keep-scrolling.png)\n\n[Home](https:\/\/mashable.com\/) \\> [Life](https:\/\/mashable.com\/life) \\> [Digital Culture](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/digital-culture)\n\n# The internet reacts to the March Madness bracket\nEvery year the bracket drops, the internet loses its mind. This year was no different.\n\nBy\n\n[Chance Townsend](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/chance-townsend)\n\n![Headshot of a Black man](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/authors\/03tgQJc7HbwhuDaGMuSAh8J\/image.fill.size_2660x3238.v1673717191.jpg)\n\nChance Townsend\n\nAssistant Editor, General Assignments\n\nChance Townsend is the General Assignments Editor at Mashable, covering tech, video games, dating apps, digital culture, and whatever else comes his way. He has a Master's in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is a proud orange cat father. His writing has also appeared in PC Mag and *Mother Jones*.\n\n[Read Full Bio](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/chance-townsend)\n\non\n\nMarch 16, 2026\n\n[Share on Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-madness-selection-sunday-reactions-social-media \"(opens in a new window)\")\n\n[Share on Twitter](https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-madness-selection-sunday-reactions-social-media&text=The+internet+reacts+to+the+March+Madness+bracket \"(opens in a new window)\")\n\n[Share on Flipboard](https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-madness-selection-sunday-reactions-social-media&title=The+internet+reacts+to+the+March+Madness+bracket \"(opens in a new window)\")\n\n![A view of NCAA March Madness and Wilson logos prior to the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the UCLA Bruins](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/03MaowjbkDgLnAfh30A3MSy\/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1773675320.jpg)\n\nCredit: Melina Pizano\/Getty Images\n***\n\nMarch Madness is here. The field is set for the [2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament](https:\/\/www.ncaa.com\/news\/basketball-men\/mml-official-bracket\/2026-03-15\/2026-ncaa-tournament-printable-bracket-schedule-march-madness \"(opens in a new window)\"), and Selection Sunday did exactly what Selection Sunday always does — gave 68 fanbases a reason to either celebrate or lose their minds on social media. The discourse was, as tradition demands, extremely annoying.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/petebvt\/status\/2033306264969646502 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/matthewwinick\/status\/2033311409535140194 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/coleadamss\/status\/2033154087168942383 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nThe biggest flashpoint was the treatment of the Miami Redhawks — Miami, Ohio, not the other one — who were begrudgingly admitted into the tournament as a play-in team despite finishing with the first undefeated regular season since the 2020-21 Gonzaga Bulldogs. For months, pundits and fans spent an exhausting amount of energy debating whether the Redhawks would even deserve an at-large bid if they so much as dropped a single game. They finally did, falling in the MAC Championship quarterfinals, and apparently, going 31-1 still wasn't enough to earn any respect from the committee.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/BCrawford247\/status\/2032149084715315409 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nInstead of a clean Round of 64 berth, Miami (OH) now has to survive the First Four — the tournament's opening round play-in bracket featuring the four lowest-seeded at-large teams and the four weakest conference champions. Even still, people are not happy.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/JeffNadu\/status\/2032145935715688544 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/chrisfallica\/status\/2031032737025388705 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/T_Oglesby22\/status\/2033324400691535995 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nThe selection committee's decision to keep Auburn out, however, [was met with widespread approval](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7121132\/2026\/03\/15\/mens-march-madness-selection-show-bruce-pearl\/?unlocked_article_code=1.TlA.1ET8.Q5nRXu3Exh-1&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta \"(opens in a new window)\") from pretty much everyone who isn't an Auburn fan. The War Eagles' omission was made all the more satisfying by the weeks of national airtime eaten up by former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl — father of current Auburn coach Steven Pearl — passionately lobbying for a team with 16 losses to leapfrog a squad that went 31-1. The college basketball world heard the argument, considered it, and was very glad the committee did not.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/UMBCAthletics\/status\/2032985424575000909 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/BarstoolMiamiU\/status\/2032147163699167680 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/iam_johnw\/status\/2033312276875239810 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/DanWolken\/status\/2030504953102377443 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/ScottHughesCBB\/status\/2033311256988287122 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nOutside of the Miami (OH) and Auburn discourse, Selection Sunday and the return of March Madness this year mean a great collection of really good tweets.\n\n***\nRelated Stories\n***\n\n- [How to watch college basketball without cable](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/how-to-watch-college-basketball-live-streams)\n- [I tried the Huupe mini, a pricey smart basketball hoop. Is it worth it?](https:\/\/mashable.com\/review\/huupe-mini-smart-basketball-hoop-review)\n- [2025 March Madness bracket: 3 strangest ways NCAA bracket winners were picked](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/march-madness-bracket-fun-ncaa-tournament-picks)\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/FiredUpCoug\/status\/2032112959032533375 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/coleadamss\/status\/2033287360062824529 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/SickosCBB\/status\/2033325873781260397 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/iam_johnw\/status\/2033304185551159640 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheHoopHerald\/status\/2033381475979055547 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/AMitchReporting\/status\/2033347753724547454 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/CBKReport\/status\/2033327428517687718 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n## Where to get a printable March Madness bracket?\nIf you like to keep things old school, there are several places to find printable, color brackets for this year's Men's *and* Women's tournaments.\n\nThey can be found, linked here, over at the websites of [ESPN](https:\/\/www.espn.com\/mens-college-basketball\/bracket \"(opens in a new window)\"), [CBS Sports](https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/college-basketball\/news\/march-madness-bracket-2026-printable-mens-ncaa-tournament\/ \"(opens in a new window)\"), [Yahoo Sports](https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/mens-college-basketball\/article\/printable-march-madness-2026-brackets-for-mens-and-womens-ncaa-basketball-tournaments-141418976.html \"(opens in a new window)\"), [The Athletic](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7109751\/2026\/03\/15\/mens-march-madness-2026-printable-bracket\/ \"(opens in a new window)\"), [USA Today](https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/ncaab\/tourney\/2026\/03\/15\/march-madness-printable-bracket-pdf-ncaa-tournament-2026\/89099335007\/ \"(opens in a new window)\"), and, of course, the [NCAA's official website](https:\/\/www.ncaa.com\/news\/basketball-men\/mml-official-bracket\/2026-03-15\/2026-ncaa-tournament-printable-bracket-schedule-march-madness \"(opens in a new window)\"). They can also be found on most local news sites as well.\n\nTopics [Sports](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/sports)\n\n![Headshot of a Black man](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/authors\/03tgQJc7HbwhuDaGMuSAh8J\/image.fill.size_100x100.v1673717191.jpg)\n\nChance Townsend\n\nAssistant Editor, General Assignments\n\nChance Townsend is the General Assignments Editor at Mashable, covering tech, video games, dating apps, digital culture, and whatever else comes his way. He has a Master's in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is a proud orange cat father. His writing has also appeared in PC Mag and *Mother Jones*.\n\nIn his free time, he cooks, loves to sleep, and greatly enjoys Detroit sports. If you have any tips or want to talk shop about the Lions, you can reach out to him on Bluesky [@offbrandchance.bsky.social](https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/offbrandchance.bsky.social \"(opens in a new window)\") or by email at [\\[email protected\\]](https:\/\/mashable.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#43202b222d20266d372c342d30262d2703392a25252e26272a226d202c2e \"(opens in a new window)\").\n\n![Mashable Potato](https:\/\/mashable.com\/images\/seamless-keep-scrolling.png)\n\n***\nRecommended For You\n\n[BLACKPINK's Jisoo lives BookTok's wildest dreams in Netflix's 'Boyfriend on Demand' trailer](https:\/\/mashable.com\/video\/netflix-boyfriend-on-demand-trailer-jisoo)\n\nIt's time for some incredible fantasy dates with unrealistic fictional men.\n\n02\/05\/2026\n\nBy [Amanda Yeo](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/amanda-yeo)\n\n[![Jisoo in 'Boyfriend on Demand.'](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/videos\/03o0YCQ21RDVJcDc32QLODw\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1770272250.png) ![Jisoo in 'Boyfriend on Demand.'](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/videos\/03o0YCQ21RDVJcDc32QLODw\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1770272250.png)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/video\/netflix-boyfriend-on-demand-trailer-jisoo)\n***\n[A tiny smartphone for a bigger, less distracted life — just \\$85](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/dec-26-nanophone-a-miniaturized-smartphone-packed-with-mega-features)\n\nBuilt for intentional living.\n\n12\/26\/2025\n\nBy [Sponsored by StackCommerce](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/stackcommerce)\n\n[![NanoPhone - A Mini 4G Smartphone Packed with Mega Features\\!](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/06efaFuwIvfvZBb6GY1f5FJ\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1765793134.jpg) ![NanoPhone - A Mini 4G Smartphone Packed with Mega Features\\!](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/06efaFuwIvfvZBb6GY1f5FJ\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1765793134.jpg)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/dec-26-nanophone-a-miniaturized-smartphone-packed-with-mega-features)\n***\n[I haven't had a boyfriend for a decade. Here's what I've learned.](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/single-for-decade-lessons)\n\n10 years of being single has taught me to be kinder to myself.\n\n02\/12\/2026\n\nBy [Rachel Thompson](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/rachel-thompson)\n\n[![Illustration of a woman who is single by choice.](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/07kmlotmZ382ay4MCuXrIbi\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1623390923.jpg) ![Illustration of a woman who is single by choice.](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/07kmlotmZ382ay4MCuXrIbi\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1623390923.jpg)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/single-for-decade-lessons)\n***\n[Google debuts 'Me Meme' feature in Google Photos app](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/google-debuts-me-meme-feature-google-photos-app)\n\nThe company is letting users turn their own selfies into shareable memes.\n\n01\/24\/2026\n\nBy [Chance Townsend](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/chance-townsend)\n\n[![A sign of US technology company Google displayed during the World Economic Forum (WEF)](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/04dVsnh5HZuvKH3HAVdI5Mm\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1769279567.jpg) ![A sign of US technology company Google displayed during the World Economic Forum (WEF)](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/04dVsnh5HZuvKH3HAVdI5Mm\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1769279567.jpg)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/google-debuts-me-meme-feature-google-photos-app)\n***\n[Bad Bunny's Grammys pause is now the internet's go-to reaction meme](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/bad-bunny-grammys-win-reaction-meme)\n\nBenito's stunned stillness went viral instantly, giving the internet a reaction GIF for every exhausted, overwhelmed, or \"how is it only Wednesday?\" moment.\n\n02\/05\/2026\n\nBy [Crystal Bell](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/crystalbell)\n\n[![Bad Bunny Grammys 2026 reaction meme](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/02Rd7JQ9qNZjvx1wLzdyTyL\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1770307976.jpg) ![Bad Bunny Grammys 2026 reaction meme](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/02Rd7JQ9qNZjvx1wLzdyTyL\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1770307976.jpg)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/bad-bunny-grammys-win-reaction-meme)\n\n***\nMore in Life\n\n[St. Patrick’s Day 2026 deals: Score free food from Krispy Kreme, 7-Eleven, Burger King, and more](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/st-patricks-day-2026-free-food-deals)\n\nFreebies and steep discounts is what St. Patrick would have wanted.\n\n1 hour ago\n\nBy [Joseph Green](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/joe92)\n\n[![St. Patrick's Day cupcake](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/00EGJIKkjrKEATGMN6al8RK\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1773678830.jpg) ![St. Patrick's Day cupcake](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/00EGJIKkjrKEATGMN6al8RK\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1773678830.jpg)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/st-patricks-day-2026-free-food-deals)\n***\n[Krispy Kreme is giving away free green doughnuts for St. Patrick's Day — how to claim yours](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/krispy-kreme-st-patricks-day-free-doughnut-how-to-claim)\n\nNo purchase is necessary to qualify.\n\n1 hour ago\n\nBy [Joseph Green](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/joe92)\n\n[![Krispy Kreme green doughnuts](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/06Vu9TDhPHcPVOMAp7zBMi8\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1773667427.jpg) ![Krispy Kreme green doughnuts](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/06Vu9TDhPHcPVOMAp7zBMi8\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1773667427.jpg)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/krispy-kreme-st-patricks-day-free-doughnut-how-to-claim)\n***\n[When is Amazon's Spring Sale in 2026? Amazon just announced official dates.](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/when-is-amazon-big-spring-sale-2026)\n\nThe sale kicks off on March 25 and gives us one week to shop the best spring deals.\n\n18 hours ago\n\nBy [Leah Stodart](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/leah-stodart)\n\n[![Sandals, workout and sport equipment, video game controller, and more casual items plus cat in Amazon box arranged on blue, orange, and pink backdrop](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/04kh0QGYrgvO0cKOkiWUbPG\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1771966482.png) ![Sandals, workout and sport equipment, video game controller, and more casual items plus cat in Amazon box arranged on blue, orange, and pink backdrop](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/04kh0QGYrgvO0cKOkiWUbPG\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1771966482.png)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/when-is-amazon-big-spring-sale-2026)\n***\n[Amazon's Big Spring Sale kicks off on March 25 this year. Here's how we're prepping for it.](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/amazon-big-spring-sale-2026-everything-to-know)\n\nWe have one week to save on Apple devices, robot vacuums, kitchen appliances, and spring cleaning needs.\n\n20 hours ago\n\nBy [Samantha Mangino](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/samantha-mangino)\n\n[![stack of amazon boxes in a doorway](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/0599gbhPxBdNDkRspL2dxH4\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1772132267.png) ![stack of amazon boxes in a doorway](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/0599gbhPxBdNDkRspL2dxH4\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1772132267.png)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/amazon-big-spring-sale-2026-everything-to-know)\n***\n[The Magic: The Gathering Duskmourn House of Horrors Play Booster Box is less than market price at Walmart — save \\$22](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/march-16-magic-the-gathering-duskmourn-house-of-horrors-play-booster-box)\n\nEqual to \\$4.26 a pack.\n\n21 hours ago\n\nBy [Ben Williams](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/ben-williams)\n\n[![The Magic: The Gathering Duskmourn: House of Horrors Play Booster Box on a green background](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/00G1RuXSQRwOrPqfCAqxnKe\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1773660402.jpg) ![The Magic: The Gathering Duskmourn: House of Horrors Play Booster Box on a green background](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/00G1RuXSQRwOrPqfCAqxnKe\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1773660402.jpg)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/march-16-magic-the-gathering-duskmourn-house-of-horrors-play-booster-box)\n\n***\nTrending on Mashable\n\n[NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 17, 2026](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-march-17-2026)\n\nEverything you need to solve 'Connections' \\#1010.\n\n7 hours ago\n\nBy [Mashable Team](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/mashable-team)\n\n[![Connections game on a smartphone](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/03WlGYd3q4naXumxMnyHgyf\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1773264511.jpg) ![Connections game on a smartphone](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/03WlGYd3q4naXumxMnyHgyf\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1773264511.jpg)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-march-17-2026)\n***\n[That wild 'Scarpetta' ending, explained](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/scarpetta-ending-explained)\n\nWho is the killer? But also, who's at the door?\n\n03\/11\/2026\n\nBy [Shannon Connellan](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/shannon-connellan)\n\n[![Bobby Cannavale as Pete Marino and Nicole Kidman as Dr. Kay Scarpetta. ](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/02FO4khBGawTluMrfojPbgq\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1773248280.jpg) ![Bobby Cannavale as Pete Marino and Nicole Kidman as Dr. Kay Scarpetta. ](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/02FO4khBGawTluMrfojPbgq\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1773248280.jpg)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/scarpetta-ending-explained)\n***\n[NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 16, 2026](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-march-16-2026)\n\nEverything you need to solve 'Connections' \\#1009.\n\n22 hours ago\n\nBy [Mashable Team](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/mashable-team)\n\n[![Connections game on a smartphone](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/02WSveJiCvYnKmCxgEp3d4q\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1773263866.jpg) ![Connections game on a smartphone](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/02WSveJiCvYnKmCxgEp3d4q\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1773263866.jpg)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-march-16-2026)\n***\n[Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 17, 2026](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/wordle-today-answer-march-17-2026)\n\nHere are some tips and tricks to help you find the answer to \"Wordle\" \\#1732.\n\n7 hours ago\n\nBy [Mashable Team](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/mashable-team)\n\n[![Wordle game on a smartphone](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/04MN7W5REOV6TvwH0IuArwr\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1773264149.jpg) ![Wordle game on a smartphone](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/04MN7W5REOV6TvwH0IuArwr\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1773264149.jpg)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/wordle-today-answer-march-17-2026)\n***\n[Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 16, 2026](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/wordle-today-answer-march-16-2026)\n\nHere are some tips and tricks to help you find the answer to \"Wordle\" \\#1731.\n\n22 hours ago\n\nBy [Mashable Team](https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/mashable-team)\n\n[![Wordle game on a smartphone](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/02jJP78qCfDYhz2BLPhM2h0\/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1773263460.jpg) ![Wordle game on a smartphone](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/02jJP78qCfDYhz2BLPhM2h0\/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1773263460.jpg)](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/wordle-today-answer-march-16-2026)\n\nThe biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.\n\nUse this instead\n\nThese newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. 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[Newsletters](https:\/\/mashable.com\/newsletters)\n- [Sitemap](https:\/\/mashable.com\/sitemap)\n***\n***\n***\n©2005–2026 Mashable, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. All Rights Reserved.\n\nMashable is a registered trademark of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without express written permission.\n\n- [About Ziff Davis](https:\/\/www.ziffdavis.com\/about \"(opens in a new window)\")\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.ziffdavis.com\/ztg-privacy-policy \"(opens in a new window)\")\n- [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.ziffdavis.com\/terms-of-use \"(opens in a new window)\")\n- [Advertise](https:\/\/ziffmedia.com\/ \"(opens in a new window)\")\n- [Accessibility](https:\/\/www.ziffdavis.com\/accessibility \"(opens in a new window)\")\n- [Do Not Sell My Personal Information](https:\/\/dsar.mashable.com\/)\n- ![ZiffDavis AdChoices](https:\/\/c.evidon.com\/pub\/icong1.png)AdChoices","attrs_readable_markdown":"They're even making the same face.\n\nThe distracted boyfriend meme — that image in which a man checks out one woman while holding hands with another — gained popularity [last summer](http:\/\/knowyourmeme.com\/memes\/distracted-boyfriend \"(opens in a new window)\"), used to explain moral dilemmas like choosing between dealing with responsibilities or taking a nap. (The answer is always take a nap.)\n\nThe original image is just one piece of a [multi-part stock photo series](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/distracted-boyfriend-meme-backstory) about love, infidelity, and the breakdown of a toxic relationship. And, upon further investigation, it seems this format (like the behavior itself?) has been around for at least a few centuries.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/gxngstawifi\/status\/900580223137263616 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nTwitter user @ELXGANZA found the \"18th-century equivalent\" of the meme, which portrays a similar scenario: a man torn between two women as his partner looks understandably offended.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/ELXGANZA\/status\/985872179005984769 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nThe original distracted boyfriend meme is a 1761 painting by English artist Joshua Reynolds. It depicts his friend and actor, David Garrick, caught between two women who are supposed to symbolize Comedy and Tragedy. The [Tate Modern](http:\/\/ \"(opens in a new window)\"), where the painting is on display, calls this piece \"one of the most important of his entire career.\"\n\nAccording to the Tate, \"The subject was probably Garrick’s own idea: a playful parody of the classical story of Hercules choosing between pleasure and virtue, designed to emphasise Garrick’s versatility.\"\n\nMashable Trend Report\n\n![Original image replaced with Mashable logo](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/03EXy4bMJ5FwHocYO4PtXB4\/images-1.fill.size_2000x1583.v1611695461.jpg)\n\nOriginal image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable\n\nComedy, dressed in a revealing pink dress, playfully tugs Garrick away from Tragedy, who looks absolutely disgusted while holding his hand — almost just like in the beloved distracted boyfriend meme.\n\nThey're even wearing the same color\\!\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/R3dLeprechaun\/status\/985990251175993344 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nAnd Comedy has no regrets.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/dxnvts\/status\/985881344420077569 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nTwitter users responded with 18th century-appropriate versions of the distracted boyfriend.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheHipsterRebbe\/status\/985925617609854976 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheHipsterRebbe\/status\/985927053211029504 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/KitsuneAlicia\/status\/985921310504243200 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nAfter their newfound Twitter fame, @ELXGANZA posted one, too.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/ELXGANZA\/status\/985975429344489476 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nIf you find yourself in London and want to see the original image for yourself, it's on display in [Room 8](http:\/\/www.tate.org.uk\/whats-on\/tate-britain\/exhibition\/joshua-reynolds-creation-celebrity\/joshua-reynolds-creation-0-8 \"(opens in a new window)\") of the Tate Modern.\n\n![Mashable Potato](https:\/\/mashable.com\/images\/seamless-keep-scrolling.png)\n\nProtect yourself from AI and the perpetuity trap.\n\n![woman with doodles and color streaks on face](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/04t3PYTqYkM4WkLNiD2nhAQ\/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1773702383.jpg)\n\nCredit: Getty Images \/ Plume Creative \/ DigitalVision\n\nAn up-and-coming creator gets offered their first brand deal. It’s enough money to pay their rent, but not nearly enough to hire a lawyer to look over the contract, so they sign it. A few months later, they see their face on a billboard or in a commercial without their consent.\n\nThis isn’t a hypothetical, says lawyer [Michelle May O’Neil](https:\/\/themichellemayoneil.com\/ \"(opens in a new window)\"), whom I met at [SXSW](https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/sxsw) in Austin, Texas, after her panel, “[Who Owns Me? Legal War Over Identity in the Creator Economy](https:\/\/schedule.sxsw.com\/2026\/events\/PP1162364 \"(opens in a new window)\").” O’Neil is a nationally recognized lawyer, litigation strategist, and expert on NIL (name, image, likeness) topics, and she’s warning creators to pay very close attention to contracts with brands.\n\nHowever, it’s not just shady contracts and legalese that can strip creators of their likeness. In the AI era, creators are also facing AI clones and deepfakes that steal their voice and image.\n\nDuring her panel, O’Neil explained how creators can lose control of their online identity, and some of her examples took me by surprise. She highlighted the case of [Kat and Mike Stickler](https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/lifestyle\/relationships\/tiktok-influencers-marriage-divorce-youtube-instagram-a73c0e34 \"(opens in a new window)\"), the married TikTok influencers who ended up in a bitter feud over their shared social media accounts during a messy divorce.\n\n“As a lawyer, we say fair is a four-letter word, so there's not really a fair concept in the law. There's just the law, and it applies,” O’Neil said. “The tech is moving so fast, and the world is moving so fast, that it's difficult because there's not a lot of law that protects you, but we want to do the best we can.\"\n\nSo, what do creators need to know about their name, image, and likeness, and how can they protect themselves?\n\n*Please note that the content of this article does not constitute legal advice. Consult your own lawyer before making any big decisions.*\n\n## It’s not identity theft if you give it away. Avoid the perpetuity trap.\nWhen signing contracts with brands or social media companies, O’Neil warns creators to look for specific contract language that companies might try to sneak into a contract:\n\n- **Perpetual \/ in perpetuity**\n- **All media now known or later developed**\n- **Derivative works**\n- **Sublicensable**\n- **Irrevocable**\n\nO’Neil says an offending clause might look like this: “Creator grants Brand a perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable right to use Creator's name, image, likeness and voice in all media now known or later developed.”\n\n“If you sign a bad contract and you don't read it, and you kind of do what one of the girls at the bar the other night said \\[she did\\] to me. She said, ‘Well, I mean, I just signed the contract they gave me. Because who am I? Like, if I don't sign what they give me, I'm not going to get the brand deal.’ And I get that, but she signed away a lot of rights.”\n\nI heard this same sentiment in a separate SXSW panel featuring YouTube icons Rhett and Link.\n\nIn a panel on the creator economy, Rhett McLaughlin said many young creators feel like they can’t say no to brand deals at first.\n\n“If you're a brand, you might be dealing with a lot of people who are young and inexperienced, even if they might be working with somebody who's representing them,” Rhett McLaughlin said. “And then you've got, you know, people who are either working in another job and beginning doing some creating on the side, or they're just young, and \\$1,000 is like, ‘Oh shit, \\$1,000, yes! I'm just gonna say yes. Whatever you just asked me to do for \\$1,000, I'm gonna say yes to it.” And brands know, in a lot of situations, they can go out and just pay 40 different creators \\$1,000 to get a message out there.”\n\nWhen I asked O’Neil what kind of recourse someone might have if they sign away rights to their likeness in perpetuity, she had a blunt response.\n\n“If they sign it, they sign it,” O’Neil told me. \"I think once you sign it, you're done. That’s why it’s important. And that's why the lawyers for those platforms, that's why they make the big bucks, right?”\n\n## Add language to contracts to protect yourself\n![lawyer Michelle May O’Neil speaks at sxsw 2026](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/04t3PYTqYkM4WkLNiD2nhAQ\/images-1.fill.size_2000x1125.v1773702383.jpg)\n\nLawyer Michelle May O’Neil speaks at SXSW 2026. Credit: Timothy Werth \/ Mashable\n\nThere are some important steps creators can take when negotiating contracts.\n\nFor instance, you could ask for a sunset clause. This way, you’re licensing your likeness for a specific period of time, not “in perpetuity.”\n\nCreators can also ask for additional language rather than demanding brands delete specific clauses.\n\n“Don't fight to delete the clause. Add a clause. So instead of taking out the all media clause, add an exclusion. Add a carve-out. Say, ‘Okay, you can say all media, but I want to say excluding AI-generated or synthetic representations of me.”\n\nAnd speaking of AI...\n\n## Technology moves much faster than the law\nWe’re living in a world where deepfakes are commonplace. I reported on [deepfakes in YouTube Ads depicting celebrities](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/youtube-ai-video-ads) like Oprah and Hoda Kotb, despite all the moderation tech YouTube uses to filter bad ads. Using widely available tools, bad actors can now take a short video clip and create an AI clone of you that can do or say almost anything.\n\nCreators need to be proactive in protecting their likeness from AI clones. Major actors and writers unions have been [negotiating for AI protections in contracts](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/sag-aftra-actors-strike-ai-streaming) with studios, but unfortunately, creators don’t have a union to rely on.\n\n“You know, if you're gonna do an audiobook with Simon & Schuster and they don't want to agree to let you reserve your AI clone of your audio voice, maybe you shouldn't do that deal,” O’Neil said.\n\nAgain, you can also ask for specific clauses that carve out an exception for AI clones.\n\n## LLCs and trademark law\nIn addition to bad contracts, O’Neil warned about two other ways creators lose their identity. First, they fail to create a legal entity, such as an LLC, for conducting business. A business entity creates a wall between you and your business asset, aka your likeness and your content.\n\nIn addition, some creators fail to trademark their key franchises, trademarks, and ideas. And, crucially, they may also fail to defend their trademark, which can come back to haunt them if they ever do go to court.\n\nUnfortunately, while there are laws in Western countries to protect a creator’s likeness or right of publicity, international protections can be much weaker — or nonexistent.\n\nO’Neil raised the example of a recent AI deepfake video that [showed Tom Cruise fighting Brad Pitt](https:\/\/www.pcmag.com\/news\/did-that-viral-tom-cruise-brad-pitt-ai-fight-scene-get-a-green-screen-assist \"(opens in a new window)\") on a rooftop in a non-existent movie. She said Cruise was eventually able to get American companies to take down the video, but it remains online in many places.\n\nAnd if Cruise, with all of his money and the protections of actors’ unions, can’t protect his likeness, small-time creators have almost no chance at all.\n\n## Put the family Instagram account in the pre-nup\nFinally, as in the [famous divorce case of Kat and Mike Stickler](https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/lifestyle\/relationships\/tiktok-influencers-marriage-divorce-youtube-instagram-a73c0e34 \"(opens in a new window)\"), if you’re creating content with a partner, make sure you have a plan for the dissolution of that partnership. Even if you only appear occasionally in your partner’s content, make sure they don’t retain a right to your likeness in the event of a breakup or divorce.\n\nThat might even mean putting your Instagram and TikTok accounts in a pre-nup.\n\n## AI is the problem, not the solution\nFinally, AI might seem like both the problem and the solution for creators who can’t afford a lawyer. After all, plenty of actual attorneys are now using ChatGPT, [even if they shouldn’t be](https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/over-120-court-cases-caught-ai-hallucinations-new-database). But O’Neil cautioned creators from relying on AI chatbots for legal advice.\n\nUltimately, ChatGPT is not a lawyer, and OpenAI has even been [sued for practicing law without a license](https:\/\/www.abajournal.com\/news\/article\/openai-sued-for-practicing-law-without-a-license \"(opens in a new window)\"), most recently in March. Asking Claude, Gemini, or ChatGPT to review or redline a contract might be tempting, but ultimately, only an actual human lawyer can give you legal advice, as [some people have learned the hard way](https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/legal\/legalindustry\/openai-hit-with-lawsuit-claiming-chatgpt-acted-an-unlicensed-lawyer-2026-03-05\/ \"(opens in a new window)\").\n\nWe’re living in a brave new AI world, and the creator economy still lacks the regulations that protect businesses in other industries.\n\nSo, creators, protect yourself and your likeness, because no one else will.\n\n*Some of the quotes in this story have been lightly edited for clarity and grammar.*\n***\n*Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.*\n\n![headshot of timothy beck werth, a handsome journalist with great hair](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/authors\/01B50WYJv6qIekM8haNgEad\/image.fill.size_100x100.v1744924400.jpg)\n\nTech Editor\n\nTimothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.\n\nTim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.\n\n![Mashable Potato](https:\/\/mashable.com\/images\/seamless-keep-scrolling.png)\n\nEvery year the bracket drops, the internet loses its mind. This year was no different.\n\n![A view of NCAA March Madness and Wilson logos prior to the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the UCLA Bruins](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/03MaowjbkDgLnAfh30A3MSy\/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1773675320.jpg)\n\nCredit: Melina Pizano\/Getty Images\n\nMarch Madness is here. The field is set for the [2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament](https:\/\/www.ncaa.com\/news\/basketball-men\/mml-official-bracket\/2026-03-15\/2026-ncaa-tournament-printable-bracket-schedule-march-madness \"(opens in a new window)\"), and Selection Sunday did exactly what Selection Sunday always does — gave 68 fanbases a reason to either celebrate or lose their minds on social media. The discourse was, as tradition demands, extremely annoying.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/petebvt\/status\/2033306264969646502 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/matthewwinick\/status\/2033311409535140194 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/coleadamss\/status\/2033154087168942383 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nThe biggest flashpoint was the treatment of the Miami Redhawks — Miami, Ohio, not the other one — who were begrudgingly admitted into the tournament as a play-in team despite finishing with the first undefeated regular season since the 2020-21 Gonzaga Bulldogs. For months, pundits and fans spent an exhausting amount of energy debating whether the Redhawks would even deserve an at-large bid if they so much as dropped a single game. They finally did, falling in the MAC Championship quarterfinals, and apparently, going 31-1 still wasn't enough to earn any respect from the committee.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/BCrawford247\/status\/2032149084715315409 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nInstead of a clean Round of 64 berth, Miami (OH) now has to survive the First Four — the tournament's opening round play-in bracket featuring the four lowest-seeded at-large teams and the four weakest conference champions. Even still, people are not happy.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/JeffNadu\/status\/2032145935715688544 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/chrisfallica\/status\/2031032737025388705 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/T_Oglesby22\/status\/2033324400691535995 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nThe selection committee's decision to keep Auburn out, however, [was met with widespread approval](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7121132\/2026\/03\/15\/mens-march-madness-selection-show-bruce-pearl\/?unlocked_article_code=1.TlA.1ET8.Q5nRXu3Exh-1&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta \"(opens in a new window)\") from pretty much everyone who isn't an Auburn fan. The War Eagles' omission was made all the more satisfying by the weeks of national airtime eaten up by former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl — father of current Auburn coach Steven Pearl — passionately lobbying for a team with 16 losses to leapfrog a squad that went 31-1. The college basketball world heard the argument, considered it, and was very glad the committee did not.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/UMBCAthletics\/status\/2032985424575000909 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/BarstoolMiamiU\/status\/2032147163699167680 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/iam_johnw\/status\/2033312276875239810 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/DanWolken\/status\/2030504953102377443 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/ScottHughesCBB\/status\/2033311256988287122 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\nOutside of the Miami (OH) and Auburn discourse, Selection Sunday and the return of March Madness this year mean a great collection of really good tweets.\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/FiredUpCoug\/status\/2032112959032533375 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/coleadamss\/status\/2033287360062824529 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/SickosCBB\/status\/2033325873781260397 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/iam_johnw\/status\/2033304185551159640 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheHoopHerald\/status\/2033381475979055547 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/AMitchReporting\/status\/2033347753724547454 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n\n> [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https:\/\/twitter.com\/CBKReport\/status\/2033327428517687718 \"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\")\n## Where to get a printable March Madness bracket?\nIf you like to keep things old school, there are several places to find printable, color brackets for this year's Men's *and* Women's tournaments.\n\nThey can be found, linked here, over at the websites of [ESPN](https:\/\/www.espn.com\/mens-college-basketball\/bracket \"(opens in a new window)\"), [CBS Sports](https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/college-basketball\/news\/march-madness-bracket-2026-printable-mens-ncaa-tournament\/ \"(opens in a new window)\"), [Yahoo Sports](https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/mens-college-basketball\/article\/printable-march-madness-2026-brackets-for-mens-and-womens-ncaa-basketball-tournaments-141418976.html \"(opens in a new window)\"), [The Athletic](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7109751\/2026\/03\/15\/mens-march-madness-2026-printable-bracket\/ \"(opens in a new window)\"), [USA Today](https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/ncaab\/tourney\/2026\/03\/15\/march-madness-printable-bracket-pdf-ncaa-tournament-2026\/89099335007\/ \"(opens in a new window)\"), and, of course, the [NCAA's official website](https:\/\/www.ncaa.com\/news\/basketball-men\/mml-official-bracket\/2026-03-15\/2026-ncaa-tournament-printable-bracket-schedule-march-madness \"(opens in a new window)\"). They can also be found on most local news sites as well.\n\n![Headshot of a Black man](https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/authors\/03tgQJc7HbwhuDaGMuSAh8J\/image.fill.size_100x100.v1673717191.jpg)\n\nAssistant Editor, General Assignments\n\nChance Townsend is the General Assignments Editor at Mashable, covering tech, video games, dating apps, digital culture, and whatever else comes his way. He has a Master's in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is a proud orange cat father. His writing has also appeared in PC Mag and *Mother Jones*.\n\nIn his free time, he cooks, loves to sleep, and greatly enjoys Detroit sports. If you have any tips or want to talk shop about the Lions, you can reach out to him on Bluesky [@offbrandchance.bsky.social](https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/offbrandchance.bsky.social \"(opens in a new window)\") or by email at [\\[email protected\\]](https:\/\/mashable.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#43202b222d20266d372c342d30262d2703392a25252e26272a226d202c2e \"(opens in a new window)\").\n\n![Mashable Potato](https:\/\/mashable.com\/images\/seamless-keep-scrolling.png)","meta_canonical":"com,mashable!\/article\/how-creators-can-protect-their-name-image-likeness-sxsw-2026 s443"}

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Meta Description	A Twitter user found a painting from the 1700s that looks remarkably similar to the distracted boyfriend meme.
Meta Canonical	com,mashable!/article/how-creators-can-protect-their-name-image-likeness-sxsw-2026 s443
Boilerpipe Text	They're even making the same face. The distracted boyfriend meme — that image in which a man checks out one woman while holding hands with another — gained popularity last summer , used to explain moral dilemmas like choosing between dealing with responsibilities or taking a nap. (The answer is always take a nap.) The original image is just one piece of a multi-part stock photo series about love, infidelity, and the breakdown of a toxic relationship. And, upon further investigation, it seems this format (like the behavior itself?) has been around for at least a few centuries. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Twitter user @ELXGANZA found the "18th-century equivalent" of the meme, which portrays a similar scenario: a man torn between two women as his partner looks understandably offended. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. The original distracted boyfriend meme is a 1761 painting by English artist Joshua Reynolds. It depicts his friend and actor, David Garrick, caught between two women who are supposed to symbolize Comedy and Tragedy. The Tate Modern , where the painting is on display, calls this piece "one of the most important of his entire career." According to the Tate, "The subject was probably Garrick’s own idea: a playful parody of the classical story of Hercules choosing between pleasure and virtue, designed to emphasise Garrick’s versatility." Mashable Trend Report Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Comedy, dressed in a revealing pink dress, playfully tugs Garrick away from Tragedy, who looks absolutely disgusted while holding his hand — almost just like in the beloved distracted boyfriend meme. They're even wearing the same color! This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. And Comedy has no regrets. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Twitter users responded with 18th century-appropriate versions of the distracted boyfriend. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. After their newfound Twitter fame, @ELXGANZA posted one, too. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. If you find yourself in London and want to see the original image for yourself, it's on display in Room 8 of the Tate Modern. Protect yourself from AI and the perpetuity trap. Credit: Getty Images / Plume Creative / DigitalVision An up-and-coming creator gets offered their first brand deal. It’s enough money to pay their rent, but not nearly enough to hire a lawyer to look over the contract, so they sign it. A few months later, they see their face on a billboard or in a commercial without their consent. This isn’t a hypothetical, says lawyer Michelle May O’Neil , whom I met at SXSW in Austin, Texas, after her panel, “ Who Owns Me? Legal War Over Identity in the Creator Economy .” O’Neil is a nationally recognized lawyer, litigation strategist, and expert on NIL (name, image, likeness) topics, and she’s warning creators to pay very close attention to contracts with brands. However, it’s not just shady contracts and legalese that can strip creators of their likeness. In the AI era, creators are also facing AI clones and deepfakes that steal their voice and image. During her panel, O’Neil explained how creators can lose control of their online identity, and some of her examples took me by surprise. She highlighted the case of Kat and Mike Stickler , the married TikTok influencers who ended up in a bitter feud over their shared social media accounts during a messy divorce. “As a lawyer, we say fair is a four-letter word, so there's not really a fair concept in the law. There's just the law, and it applies,” O’Neil said. “The tech is moving so fast, and the world is moving so fast, that it's difficult because there's not a lot of law that protects you, but we want to do the best we can." So, what do creators need to know about their name, image, and likeness, and how can they protect themselves? Please note that the content of this article does not constitute legal advice. Consult your own lawyer before making any big decisions. It’s not identity theft if you give it away. Avoid the perpetuity trap. When signing contracts with brands or social media companies, O’Neil warns creators to look for specific contract language that companies might try to sneak into a contract: Perpetual / in perpetuity All media now known or later developed Derivative works Sublicensable Irrevocable O’Neil says an offending clause might look like this: “Creator grants Brand a perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable right to use Creator's name, image, likeness and voice in all media now known or later developed.” “If you sign a bad contract and you don't read it, and you kind of do what one of the girls at the bar the other night said [she did] to me. She said, ‘Well, I mean, I just signed the contract they gave me. Because who am I? Like, if I don't sign what they give me, I'm not going to get the brand deal.’ And I get that, but she signed away a lot of rights.” I heard this same sentiment in a separate SXSW panel featuring YouTube icons Rhett and Link. In a panel on the creator economy, Rhett McLaughlin said many young creators feel like they can’t say no to brand deals at first. “If you're a brand, you might be dealing with a lot of people who are young and inexperienced, even if they might be working with somebody who's representing them,” Rhett McLaughlin said. “And then you've got, you know, people who are either working in another job and beginning doing some creating on the side, or they're just young, and $1,000 is like, ‘Oh shit, $1,000, yes! I'm just gonna say yes. Whatever you just asked me to do for $1,000, I'm gonna say yes to it.” And brands know, in a lot of situations, they can go out and just pay 40 different creators $1,000 to get a message out there.” When I asked O’Neil what kind of recourse someone might have if they sign away rights to their likeness in perpetuity, she had a blunt response. “If they sign it, they sign it,” O’Neil told me. "I think once you sign it, you're done. That’s why it’s important. And that's why the lawyers for those platforms, that's why they make the big bucks, right?” Add language to contracts to protect yourself Lawyer Michelle May O’Neil speaks at SXSW 2026. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable There are some important steps creators can take when negotiating contracts. For instance, you could ask for a sunset clause. This way, you’re licensing your likeness for a specific period of time, not “in perpetuity.” Creators can also ask for additional language rather than demanding brands delete specific clauses. “Don't fight to delete the clause. Add a clause. So instead of taking out the all media clause, add an exclusion. Add a carve-out. Say, ‘Okay, you can say all media, but I want to say excluding AI-generated or synthetic representations of me.” And speaking of AI... Technology moves much faster than the law We’re living in a world where deepfakes are commonplace. I reported on deepfakes in YouTube Ads depicting celebrities like Oprah and Hoda Kotb, despite all the moderation tech YouTube uses to filter bad ads. Using widely available tools, bad actors can now take a short video clip and create an AI clone of you that can do or say almost anything. Creators need to be proactive in protecting their likeness from AI clones. Major actors and writers unions have been negotiating for AI protections in contracts with studios, but unfortunately, creators don’t have a union to rely on. “You know, if you're gonna do an audiobook with Simon & Schuster and they don't want to agree to let you reserve your AI clone of your audio voice, maybe you shouldn't do that deal,” O’Neil said. Again, you can also ask for specific clauses that carve out an exception for AI clones. LLCs and trademark law In addition to bad contracts, O’Neil warned about two other ways creators lose their identity. First, they fail to create a legal entity, such as an LLC, for conducting business. A business entity creates a wall between you and your business asset, aka your likeness and your content. In addition, some creators fail to trademark their key franchises, trademarks, and ideas. And, crucially, they may also fail to defend their trademark, which can come back to haunt them if they ever do go to court. Unfortunately, while there are laws in Western countries to protect a creator’s likeness or right of publicity, international protections can be much weaker — or nonexistent. O’Neil raised the example of a recent AI deepfake video that showed Tom Cruise fighting Brad Pitt on a rooftop in a non-existent movie. She said Cruise was eventually able to get American companies to take down the video, but it remains online in many places. And if Cruise, with all of his money and the protections of actors’ unions, can’t protect his likeness, small-time creators have almost no chance at all. Put the family Instagram account in the pre-nup Finally, as in the famous divorce case of Kat and Mike Stickler , if you’re creating content with a partner, make sure you have a plan for the dissolution of that partnership. Even if you only appear occasionally in your partner’s content, make sure they don’t retain a right to your likeness in the event of a breakup or divorce. That might even mean putting your Instagram and TikTok accounts in a pre-nup. AI is the problem, not the solution Finally, AI might seem like both the problem and the solution for creators who can’t afford a lawyer. After all, plenty of actual attorneys are now using ChatGPT, even if they shouldn’t be . But O’Neil cautioned creators from relying on AI chatbots for legal advice. Ultimately, ChatGPT is not a lawyer, and OpenAI has even been sued for practicing law without a license , most recently in March. Asking Claude, Gemini, or ChatGPT to review or redline a contract might be tempting, but ultimately, only an actual human lawyer can give you legal advice, as some people have learned the hard way . We’re living in a brave new AI world, and the creator economy still lacks the regulations that protect businesses in other industries. So, creators, protect yourself and your likeness, because no one else will. Some of the quotes in this story have been lightly edited for clarity and grammar. Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems. Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl. Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book. Every year the bracket drops, the internet loses its mind. This year was no different. Credit: Melina Pizano/Getty Images March Madness is here. The field is set for the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament , and Selection Sunday did exactly what Selection Sunday always does — gave 68 fanbases a reason to either celebrate or lose their minds on social media. The discourse was, as tradition demands, extremely annoying. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. The biggest flashpoint was the treatment of the Miami Redhawks — Miami, Ohio, not the other one — who were begrudgingly admitted into the tournament as a play-in team despite finishing with the first undefeated regular season since the 2020-21 Gonzaga Bulldogs. For months, pundits and fans spent an exhausting amount of energy debating whether the Redhawks would even deserve an at-large bid if they so much as dropped a single game. They finally did, falling in the MAC Championship quarterfinals, and apparently, going 31-1 still wasn't enough to earn any respect from the committee. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Instead of a clean Round of 64 berth, Miami (OH) now has to survive the First Four — the tournament's opening round play-in bracket featuring the four lowest-seeded at-large teams and the four weakest conference champions. Even still, people are not happy. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. The selection committee's decision to keep Auburn out, however, was met with widespread approval from pretty much everyone who isn't an Auburn fan. The War Eagles' omission was made all the more satisfying by the weeks of national airtime eaten up by former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl — father of current Auburn coach Steven Pearl — passionately lobbying for a team with 16 losses to leapfrog a squad that went 31-1. The college basketball world heard the argument, considered it, and was very glad the committee did not. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Outside of the Miami (OH) and Auburn discourse, Selection Sunday and the return of March Madness this year mean a great collection of really good tweets. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Where to get a printable March Madness bracket? If you like to keep things old school, there are several places to find printable, color brackets for this year's Men's and Women's tournaments. They can be found, linked here, over at the websites of ESPN , CBS Sports , Yahoo Sports , The Athletic , USA Today , and, of course, the NCAA's official website . They can also be found on most local news sites as well. Assistant Editor, General Assignments Chance Townsend is the General Assignments Editor at Mashable, covering tech, video games, dating apps, digital culture, and whatever else comes his way. He has a Master's in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is a proud orange cat father. His writing has also appeared in PC Mag and Mother Jones . In his free time, he cooks, loves to sleep, and greatly enjoys Detroit sports. If you have any tips or want to talk shop about the Lions, you can reach out to him on Bluesky @offbrandchance.bsky.social or by email at [email protected] .
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By [Morgan Sung](https://mashable.com/author/msung) on April 16, 2018 [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fdistracted-boyfriend-meme-18th-century-version-twitter "(opens in a new window)") [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fdistracted-boyfriend-meme-18th-century-version-twitter&text=Someone+found+the+18th-century+version+of+the+distracted+boyfriend+meme "(opens in a new window)") [Share on Flipboard](https://share.flipboard.com/bookmarklet/popout?v=2&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fdistracted-boyfriend-meme-18th-century-version-twitter&title=Someone+found+the+18th-century+version+of+the+distracted+boyfriend+meme "(opens in a new window)") * The distracted boyfriend meme — that image in which a man checks out one woman while holding hands with another — gained popularity [last summer](http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/distracted-boyfriend "(opens in a new window)"), used to explain moral dilemmas like choosing between dealing with responsibilities or taking a nap. (The answer is always take a nap.) The original image is just one piece of a [multi-part stock photo series](https://mashable.com/article/distracted-boyfriend-meme-backstory) about love, infidelity, and the breakdown of a toxic relationship. And, upon further investigation, it seems this format (like the behavior itself?) has been around for at least a few centuries. SEE ALSO: [Cartoon from the 1920s is an incredibly old-school meme](https://mashable.com/article/1920s-cartoon-meme) > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/gxngstawifi/status/900580223137263616 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") Twitter user @ELXGANZA found the "18th-century equivalent" of the meme, which portrays a similar scenario: a man torn between two women as his partner looks understandably offended. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/ELXGANZA/status/985872179005984769 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") The original distracted boyfriend meme is a 1761 painting by English artist Joshua Reynolds. It depicts his friend and actor, David Garrick, caught between two women who are supposed to symbolize Comedy and Tragedy. The [Tate Modern](http:// "(opens in a new window)"), where the painting is on display, calls this piece "one of the most important of his entire career." According to the Tate, "The subject was probably Garrick’s own idea: a playful parody of the classical story of Hercules choosing between pleasure and virtue, designed to emphasise Garrick’s versatility." Mashable Trend Report Decode what’s viral, what’s next, and what it all means. Sign up for Mashable’s weekly Trend Report newsletter. Use this instead By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our [Terms of Use](https://www.ziffdavis.com/terms-of-use "(opens in a new window)") and [Privacy Policy](https://www.ziffdavis.com/ztg-privacy-policy "(opens in a new window)"). Thanks for signing up\! ![Original image replaced with Mashable logo](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03EXy4bMJ5FwHocYO4PtXB4/images-1.fill.size_2000x1583.v1611695461.jpg) Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Comedy, dressed in a revealing pink dress, playfully tugs Garrick away from Tragedy, who looks absolutely disgusted while holding his hand — almost just like in the beloved distracted boyfriend meme. They're even wearing the same color\! > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/R3dLeprechaun/status/985990251175993344 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") And Comedy has no regrets. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/dxnvts/status/985881344420077569 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") Twitter users responded with 18th century-appropriate versions of the distracted boyfriend. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/TheHipsterRebbe/status/985925617609854976 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/TheHipsterRebbe/status/985927053211029504 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/KitsuneAlicia/status/985921310504243200 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") After their newfound Twitter fame, @ELXGANZA posted one, too. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/ELXGANZA/status/985975429344489476 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") If you find yourself in London and want to see the original image for yourself, it's on display in [Room 8](http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/joshua-reynolds-creation-celebrity/joshua-reynolds-creation-0-8 "(opens in a new window)") of the Tate Modern. * Featured Video For You * * Topics [X/Twitter](https://mashable.com/category/twitter) [Memes](https://mashable.com/category/memes) ![Mashable Potato](https://mashable.com/images/seamless-keep-scrolling.png) [Home](https://mashable.com/) \> [Life](https://mashable.com/life) \> [Digital Culture](https://mashable.com/category/digital-culture) # Creators, do you own your likeness? Are you sure? How to avoid the perpetuity trap. Protect yourself from AI and the perpetuity trap. By [Timothy Beck Werth](https://mashable.com/author/timothy-beck-werth) ![headshot of timothy beck werth, a handsome journalist with great hair](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/authors/01B50WYJv6qIekM8haNgEad/image.fill.size_1406x1406.v1744924400.jpg) Timothy Beck Werth Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl. [Read Full Bio](https://mashable.com/author/timothy-beck-werth) on March 17, 2026 [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fhow-creators-can-protect-their-name-image-likeness-sxsw-2026 "(opens in a new window)") [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fhow-creators-can-protect-their-name-image-likeness-sxsw-2026&text=Creators%2C+do+you+own+your+likeness%3F+Are+you+sure%3F+How+to+avoid+the+perpetuity+trap. "(opens in a new window)") [Share on Flipboard](https://share.flipboard.com/bookmarklet/popout?v=2&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fhow-creators-can-protect-their-name-image-likeness-sxsw-2026&title=Creators%2C+do+you+own+your+likeness%3F+Are+you+sure%3F+How+to+avoid+the+perpetuity+trap. "(opens in a new window)") ![woman with doodles and color streaks on face](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04t3PYTqYkM4WkLNiD2nhAQ/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1773702383.jpg) Credit: Getty Images / Plume Creative / DigitalVision *** An up-and-coming creator gets offered their first brand deal. It’s enough money to pay their rent, but not nearly enough to hire a lawyer to look over the contract, so they sign it. A few months later, they see their face on a billboard or in a commercial without their consent. This isn’t a hypothetical, says lawyer [Michelle May O’Neil](https://themichellemayoneil.com/ "(opens in a new window)"), whom I met at [SXSW](https://mashable.com/category/sxsw) in Austin, Texas, after her panel, “[Who Owns Me? Legal War Over Identity in the Creator Economy](https://schedule.sxsw.com/2026/events/PP1162364 "(opens in a new window)").” O’Neil is a nationally recognized lawyer, litigation strategist, and expert on NIL (name, image, likeness) topics, and she’s warning creators to pay very close attention to contracts with brands. However, it’s not just shady contracts and legalese that can strip creators of their likeness. In the AI era, creators are also facing AI clones and deepfakes that steal their voice and image. During her panel, O’Neil explained how creators can lose control of their online identity, and some of her examples took me by surprise. She highlighted the case of [Kat and Mike Stickler](https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/relationships/tiktok-influencers-marriage-divorce-youtube-instagram-a73c0e34 "(opens in a new window)"), the married TikTok influencers who ended up in a bitter feud over their shared social media accounts during a messy divorce. “As a lawyer, we say fair is a four-letter word, so there's not really a fair concept in the law. There's just the law, and it applies,” O’Neil said. “The tech is moving so fast, and the world is moving so fast, that it's difficult because there's not a lot of law that protects you, but we want to do the best we can." So, what do creators need to know about their name, image, and likeness, and how can they protect themselves? Please note that the content of this article does not constitute legal advice. Consult your own lawyer before making any big decisions. SEE ALSO: [The Mashable 101: The creators shaping the internet in 2025](https://mashable.com/article/the-mashable-101-page) ## It’s not identity theft if you give it away. Avoid the perpetuity trap. When signing contracts with brands or social media companies, O’Neil warns creators to look for specific contract language that companies might try to sneak into a contract: - Perpetual / in perpetuity - All media now known or later developed - Derivative works - Sublicensable - Irrevocable O’Neil says an offending clause might look like this: “Creator grants Brand a perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable right to use Creator's name, image, likeness and voice in all media now known or later developed.” “If you sign a bad contract and you don't read it, and you kind of do what one of the girls at the bar the other night said \[she did\] to me. She said, ‘Well, I mean, I just signed the contract they gave me. Because who am I? Like, if I don't sign what they give me, I'm not going to get the brand deal.’ And I get that, but she signed away a lot of rights.” I heard this same sentiment in a separate SXSW panel featuring YouTube icons Rhett and Link. In a panel on the creator economy, Rhett McLaughlin said many young creators feel like they can’t say no to brand deals at first. “If you're a brand, you might be dealing with a lot of people who are young and inexperienced, even if they might be working with somebody who's representing them,” Rhett McLaughlin said. “And then you've got, you know, people who are either working in another job and beginning doing some creating on the side, or they're just young, and \$1,000 is like, ‘Oh shit, \$1,000, yes! I'm just gonna say yes. Whatever you just asked me to do for \$1,000, I'm gonna say yes to it.” And brands know, in a lot of situations, they can go out and just pay 40 different creators \$1,000 to get a message out there.” When I asked O’Neil what kind of recourse someone might have if they sign away rights to their likeness in perpetuity, she had a blunt response. “If they sign it, they sign it,” O’Neil told me. "I think once you sign it, you're done. That’s why it’s important. And that's why the lawyers for those platforms, that's why they make the big bucks, right?” ## Add language to contracts to protect yourself ![lawyer Michelle May O’Neil speaks at sxsw 2026](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04t3PYTqYkM4WkLNiD2nhAQ/images-1.fill.size_2000x1125.v1773702383.jpg) Lawyer Michelle May O’Neil speaks at SXSW 2026. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable There are some important steps creators can take when negotiating contracts. For instance, you could ask for a sunset clause. This way, you’re licensing your likeness for a specific period of time, not “in perpetuity.” Creators can also ask for additional language rather than demanding brands delete specific clauses. “Don't fight to delete the clause. Add a clause. So instead of taking out the all media clause, add an exclusion. Add a carve-out. Say, ‘Okay, you can say all media, but I want to say excluding AI-generated or synthetic representations of me.” And speaking of AI... ## Technology moves much faster than the law We’re living in a world where deepfakes are commonplace. I reported on [deepfakes in YouTube Ads depicting celebrities](https://mashable.com/article/youtube-ai-video-ads) like Oprah and Hoda Kotb, despite all the moderation tech YouTube uses to filter bad ads. Using widely available tools, bad actors can now take a short video clip and create an AI clone of you that can do or say almost anything. Creators need to be proactive in protecting their likeness from AI clones. Major actors and writers unions have been [negotiating for AI protections in contracts](https://mashable.com/article/sag-aftra-actors-strike-ai-streaming) with studios, but unfortunately, creators don’t have a union to rely on. “You know, if you're gonna do an audiobook with Simon & Schuster and they don't want to agree to let you reserve your AI clone of your audio voice, maybe you shouldn't do that deal,” O’Neil said. Again, you can also ask for specific clauses that carve out an exception for AI clones. ## LLCs and trademark law In addition to bad contracts, O’Neil warned about two other ways creators lose their identity. First, they fail to create a legal entity, such as an LLC, for conducting business. A business entity creates a wall between you and your business asset, aka your likeness and your content. * Related Stories * - [I'm an admin assistant for adult creators — here's what my day is like](https://mashable.com/article/admin-assistant-for-adult-content-creators) - [What to expect from tech at SXSW 2026: Creator tools and so much AI](https://mashable.com/article/what-to-expect-sxsw-2026) - [Short-form video creator Kyle Krueger shares the tech essentials he's come to rely on](https://mashable.com/article/kyle-krueger-creator-essentials-in-my-bag) In addition, some creators fail to trademark their key franchises, trademarks, and ideas. And, crucially, they may also fail to defend their trademark, which can come back to haunt them if they ever do go to court. Unfortunately, while there are laws in Western countries to protect a creator’s likeness or right of publicity, international protections can be much weaker — or nonexistent. O’Neil raised the example of a recent AI deepfake video that [showed Tom Cruise fighting Brad Pitt](https://www.pcmag.com/news/did-that-viral-tom-cruise-brad-pitt-ai-fight-scene-get-a-green-screen-assist "(opens in a new window)") on a rooftop in a non-existent movie. She said Cruise was eventually able to get American companies to take down the video, but it remains online in many places. And if Cruise, with all of his money and the protections of actors’ unions, can’t protect his likeness, small-time creators have almost no chance at all. ## Put the family Instagram account in the pre-nup Finally, as in the [famous divorce case of Kat and Mike Stickler](https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/relationships/tiktok-influencers-marriage-divorce-youtube-instagram-a73c0e34 "(opens in a new window)"), if you’re creating content with a partner, make sure you have a plan for the dissolution of that partnership. Even if you only appear occasionally in your partner’s content, make sure they don’t retain a right to your likeness in the event of a breakup or divorce. That might even mean putting your Instagram and TikTok accounts in a pre-nup. ## AI is the problem, not the solution Finally, AI might seem like both the problem and the solution for creators who can’t afford a lawyer. After all, plenty of actual attorneys are now using ChatGPT, [even if they shouldn’t be](https://mashable.com/article/over-120-court-cases-caught-ai-hallucinations-new-database). But O’Neil cautioned creators from relying on AI chatbots for legal advice. Ultimately, ChatGPT is not a lawyer, and OpenAI has even been [sued for practicing law without a license](https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/openai-sued-for-practicing-law-without-a-license "(opens in a new window)"), most recently in March. Asking Claude, Gemini, or ChatGPT to review or redline a contract might be tempting, but ultimately, only an actual human lawyer can give you legal advice, as [some people have learned the hard way](https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/openai-hit-with-lawsuit-claiming-chatgpt-acted-an-unlicensed-lawyer-2026-03-05/ "(opens in a new window)"). We’re living in a brave new AI world, and the creator economy still lacks the regulations that protect businesses in other industries. So, creators, protect yourself and your likeness, because no one else will. Some of the quotes in this story have been lightly edited for clarity and grammar. *** Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems. Topics [SXSW](https://mashable.com/category/sxsw) [Creators](https://mashable.com/category/creators) ![headshot of timothy beck werth, a handsome journalist with great hair](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/authors/01B50WYJv6qIekM8haNgEad/image.fill.size_100x100.v1744924400.jpg) Timothy Beck Werth Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl. Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book. ![Mashable Potato](https://mashable.com/images/seamless-keep-scrolling.png) [Home](https://mashable.com/) \> [Life](https://mashable.com/life) \> [Digital Culture](https://mashable.com/category/digital-culture) # The internet reacts to the March Madness bracket Every year the bracket drops, the internet loses its mind. This year was no different. By [Chance Townsend](https://mashable.com/author/chance-townsend) ![Headshot of a Black man](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/authors/03tgQJc7HbwhuDaGMuSAh8J/image.fill.size_2660x3238.v1673717191.jpg) Chance Townsend Assistant Editor, General Assignments Chance Townsend is the General Assignments Editor at Mashable, covering tech, video games, dating apps, digital culture, and whatever else comes his way. He has a Master's in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is a proud orange cat father. His writing has also appeared in PC Mag and Mother Jones. [Read Full Bio](https://mashable.com/author/chance-townsend) on March 16, 2026 [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-madness-selection-sunday-reactions-social-media "(opens in a new window)") [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-madness-selection-sunday-reactions-social-media&text=The+internet+reacts+to+the+March+Madness+bracket "(opens in a new window)") [Share on Flipboard](https://share.flipboard.com/bookmarklet/popout?v=2&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-madness-selection-sunday-reactions-social-media&title=The+internet+reacts+to+the+March+Madness+bracket "(opens in a new window)") ![A view of NCAA March Madness and Wilson logos prior to the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the UCLA Bruins](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03MaowjbkDgLnAfh30A3MSy/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1773675320.jpg) Credit: Melina Pizano/Getty Images * March Madness is here. The field is set for the [2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament](https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/mml-official-bracket/2026-03-15/2026-ncaa-tournament-printable-bracket-schedule-march-madness "(opens in a new window)"), and Selection Sunday did exactly what Selection Sunday always does — gave 68 fanbases a reason to either celebrate or lose their minds on social media. The discourse was, as tradition demands, extremely annoying. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/petebvt/status/2033306264969646502 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/matthewwinick/status/2033311409535140194 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/coleadamss/status/2033154087168942383 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") The biggest flashpoint was the treatment of the Miami Redhawks — Miami, Ohio, not the other one — who were begrudgingly admitted into the tournament as a play-in team despite finishing with the first undefeated regular season since the 2020-21 Gonzaga Bulldogs. For months, pundits and fans spent an exhausting amount of energy debating whether the Redhawks would even deserve an at-large bid if they so much as dropped a single game. They finally did, falling in the MAC Championship quarterfinals, and apparently, going 31-1 still wasn't enough to earn any respect from the committee. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/BCrawford247/status/2032149084715315409 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") Instead of a clean Round of 64 berth, Miami (OH) now has to survive the First Four — the tournament's opening round play-in bracket featuring the four lowest-seeded at-large teams and the four weakest conference champions. Even still, people are not happy. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/JeffNadu/status/2032145935715688544 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/chrisfallica/status/2031032737025388705 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/T_Oglesby22/status/2033324400691535995 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") The selection committee's decision to keep Auburn out, however, [was met with widespread approval](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7121132/2026/03/15/mens-march-madness-selection-show-bruce-pearl/?unlocked_article_code=1.TlA.1ET8.Q5nRXu3Exh-1&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta "(opens in a new window)") from pretty much everyone who isn't an Auburn fan. The War Eagles' omission was made all the more satisfying by the weeks of national airtime eaten up by former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl — father of current Auburn coach Steven Pearl — passionately lobbying for a team with 16 losses to leapfrog a squad that went 31-1. The college basketball world heard the argument, considered it, and was very glad the committee did not. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/UMBCAthletics/status/2032985424575000909 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/BarstoolMiamiU/status/2032147163699167680 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/iam_johnw/status/2033312276875239810 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/DanWolken/status/2030504953102377443 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/ScottHughesCBB/status/2033311256988287122 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") Outside of the Miami (OH) and Auburn discourse, Selection Sunday and the return of March Madness this year mean a great collection of really good tweets. * Related Stories *** - [How to watch college basketball without cable](https://mashable.com/article/how-to-watch-college-basketball-live-streams) - [I tried the Huupe mini, a pricey smart basketball hoop. Is it worth it?](https://mashable.com/review/huupe-mini-smart-basketball-hoop-review) - [2025 March Madness bracket: 3 strangest ways NCAA bracket winners were picked](https://mashable.com/article/march-madness-bracket-fun-ncaa-tournament-picks) > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/FiredUpCoug/status/2032112959032533375 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/coleadamss/status/2033287360062824529 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/SickosCBB/status/2033325873781260397 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/iam_johnw/status/2033304185551159640 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/TheHoopHerald/status/2033381475979055547 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/AMitchReporting/status/2033347753724547454 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/CBKReport/status/2033327428517687718 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") ## Where to get a printable March Madness bracket? If you like to keep things old school, there are several places to find printable, color brackets for this year's Men's and Women's tournaments. They can be found, linked here, over at the websites of [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bracket "(opens in a new window)"), [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-2026-printable-mens-ncaa-tournament/ "(opens in a new window)"), [Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/printable-march-madness-2026-brackets-for-mens-and-womens-ncaa-basketball-tournaments-141418976.html "(opens in a new window)"), [The Athletic](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7109751/2026/03/15/mens-march-madness-2026-printable-bracket/ "(opens in a new window)"), [USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2026/03/15/march-madness-printable-bracket-pdf-ncaa-tournament-2026/89099335007/ "(opens in a new window)"), and, of course, the [NCAA's official website](https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/mml-official-bracket/2026-03-15/2026-ncaa-tournament-printable-bracket-schedule-march-madness "(opens in a new window)"). They can also be found on most local news sites as well. Topics [Sports](https://mashable.com/category/sports) ![Headshot of a Black man](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/authors/03tgQJc7HbwhuDaGMuSAh8J/image.fill.size_100x100.v1673717191.jpg) Chance Townsend Assistant Editor, General Assignments Chance Townsend is the General Assignments Editor at Mashable, covering tech, video games, dating apps, digital culture, and whatever else comes his way. He has a Master's in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is a proud orange cat father. His writing has also appeared in PC Mag and Mother Jones. In his free time, he cooks, loves to sleep, and greatly enjoys Detroit sports. If you have any tips or want to talk shop about the Lions, you can reach out to him on Bluesky [@offbrandchance.bsky.social](https://bsky.app/profile/offbrandchance.bsky.social "(opens in a new window)") or by email at [\[email protected\]](https://mashable.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#43202b222d20266d372c342d30262d2703392a25252e26272a226d202c2e "(opens in a new window)"). ![Mashable Potato](https://mashable.com/images/seamless-keep-scrolling.png) * Recommended For You [BLACKPINK's Jisoo lives BookTok's wildest dreams in Netflix's 'Boyfriend on Demand' trailer](https://mashable.com/video/netflix-boyfriend-on-demand-trailer-jisoo) It's time for some incredible fantasy dates with unrealistic fictional men. 02/05/2026 By [Amanda Yeo](https://mashable.com/author/amanda-yeo) [![Jisoo in 'Boyfriend on Demand.'](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/videos/03o0YCQ21RDVJcDc32QLODw/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1770272250.png) ![Jisoo in 'Boyfriend on Demand.'](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/videos/03o0YCQ21RDVJcDc32QLODw/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1770272250.png)](https://mashable.com/video/netflix-boyfriend-on-demand-trailer-jisoo) * [A tiny smartphone for a bigger, less distracted life — just \$85](https://mashable.com/article/dec-26-nanophone-a-miniaturized-smartphone-packed-with-mega-features) Built for intentional living. 12/26/2025 By [Sponsored by StackCommerce](https://mashable.com/author/stackcommerce) [![NanoPhone - A Mini 4G Smartphone Packed with Mega Features\!](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06efaFuwIvfvZBb6GY1f5FJ/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1765793134.jpg) ![NanoPhone - A Mini 4G Smartphone Packed with Mega Features\!](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06efaFuwIvfvZBb6GY1f5FJ/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1765793134.jpg)](https://mashable.com/article/dec-26-nanophone-a-miniaturized-smartphone-packed-with-mega-features) * [I haven't had a boyfriend for a decade. 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Readable Markdown	They're even making the same face. The distracted boyfriend meme — that image in which a man checks out one woman while holding hands with another — gained popularity [last summer](http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/distracted-boyfriend "(opens in a new window)"), used to explain moral dilemmas like choosing between dealing with responsibilities or taking a nap. (The answer is always take a nap.) The original image is just one piece of a [multi-part stock photo series](https://mashable.com/article/distracted-boyfriend-meme-backstory) about love, infidelity, and the breakdown of a toxic relationship. And, upon further investigation, it seems this format (like the behavior itself?) has been around for at least a few centuries. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/gxngstawifi/status/900580223137263616 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") Twitter user @ELXGANZA found the "18th-century equivalent" of the meme, which portrays a similar scenario: a man torn between two women as his partner looks understandably offended. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/ELXGANZA/status/985872179005984769 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") The original distracted boyfriend meme is a 1761 painting by English artist Joshua Reynolds. It depicts his friend and actor, David Garrick, caught between two women who are supposed to symbolize Comedy and Tragedy. The [Tate Modern](http:// "(opens in a new window)"), where the painting is on display, calls this piece "one of the most important of his entire career." According to the Tate, "The subject was probably Garrick’s own idea: a playful parody of the classical story of Hercules choosing between pleasure and virtue, designed to emphasise Garrick’s versatility." Mashable Trend Report ![Original image replaced with Mashable logo](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03EXy4bMJ5FwHocYO4PtXB4/images-1.fill.size_2000x1583.v1611695461.jpg) Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Comedy, dressed in a revealing pink dress, playfully tugs Garrick away from Tragedy, who looks absolutely disgusted while holding his hand — almost just like in the beloved distracted boyfriend meme. They're even wearing the same color\! > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/R3dLeprechaun/status/985990251175993344 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") And Comedy has no regrets. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/dxnvts/status/985881344420077569 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") Twitter users responded with 18th century-appropriate versions of the distracted boyfriend. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/TheHipsterRebbe/status/985925617609854976 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/TheHipsterRebbe/status/985927053211029504 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/KitsuneAlicia/status/985921310504243200 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") After their newfound Twitter fame, @ELXGANZA posted one, too. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/ELXGANZA/status/985975429344489476 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") If you find yourself in London and want to see the original image for yourself, it's on display in [Room 8](http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/joshua-reynolds-creation-celebrity/joshua-reynolds-creation-0-8 "(opens in a new window)") of the Tate Modern. ![Mashable Potato](https://mashable.com/images/seamless-keep-scrolling.png) Protect yourself from AI and the perpetuity trap. ![woman with doodles and color streaks on face](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04t3PYTqYkM4WkLNiD2nhAQ/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1773702383.jpg) Credit: Getty Images / Plume Creative / DigitalVision An up-and-coming creator gets offered their first brand deal. It’s enough money to pay their rent, but not nearly enough to hire a lawyer to look over the contract, so they sign it. A few months later, they see their face on a billboard or in a commercial without their consent. This isn’t a hypothetical, says lawyer [Michelle May O’Neil](https://themichellemayoneil.com/ "(opens in a new window)"), whom I met at [SXSW](https://mashable.com/category/sxsw) in Austin, Texas, after her panel, “[Who Owns Me? Legal War Over Identity in the Creator Economy](https://schedule.sxsw.com/2026/events/PP1162364 "(opens in a new window)").” O’Neil is a nationally recognized lawyer, litigation strategist, and expert on NIL (name, image, likeness) topics, and she’s warning creators to pay very close attention to contracts with brands. However, it’s not just shady contracts and legalese that can strip creators of their likeness. In the AI era, creators are also facing AI clones and deepfakes that steal their voice and image. During her panel, O’Neil explained how creators can lose control of their online identity, and some of her examples took me by surprise. She highlighted the case of [Kat and Mike Stickler](https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/relationships/tiktok-influencers-marriage-divorce-youtube-instagram-a73c0e34 "(opens in a new window)"), the married TikTok influencers who ended up in a bitter feud over their shared social media accounts during a messy divorce. “As a lawyer, we say fair is a four-letter word, so there's not really a fair concept in the law. There's just the law, and it applies,” O’Neil said. “The tech is moving so fast, and the world is moving so fast, that it's difficult because there's not a lot of law that protects you, but we want to do the best we can." So, what do creators need to know about their name, image, and likeness, and how can they protect themselves? Please note that the content of this article does not constitute legal advice. Consult your own lawyer before making any big decisions. ## It’s not identity theft if you give it away. Avoid the perpetuity trap. When signing contracts with brands or social media companies, O’Neil warns creators to look for specific contract language that companies might try to sneak into a contract: - Perpetual / in perpetuity - All media now known or later developed - Derivative works - Sublicensable - Irrevocable O’Neil says an offending clause might look like this: “Creator grants Brand a perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable right to use Creator's name, image, likeness and voice in all media now known or later developed.” “If you sign a bad contract and you don't read it, and you kind of do what one of the girls at the bar the other night said \[she did\] to me. She said, ‘Well, I mean, I just signed the contract they gave me. Because who am I? Like, if I don't sign what they give me, I'm not going to get the brand deal.’ And I get that, but she signed away a lot of rights.” I heard this same sentiment in a separate SXSW panel featuring YouTube icons Rhett and Link. In a panel on the creator economy, Rhett McLaughlin said many young creators feel like they can’t say no to brand deals at first. “If you're a brand, you might be dealing with a lot of people who are young and inexperienced, even if they might be working with somebody who's representing them,” Rhett McLaughlin said. “And then you've got, you know, people who are either working in another job and beginning doing some creating on the side, or they're just young, and \$1,000 is like, ‘Oh shit, \$1,000, yes! I'm just gonna say yes. Whatever you just asked me to do for \$1,000, I'm gonna say yes to it.” And brands know, in a lot of situations, they can go out and just pay 40 different creators \$1,000 to get a message out there.” When I asked O’Neil what kind of recourse someone might have if they sign away rights to their likeness in perpetuity, she had a blunt response. “If they sign it, they sign it,” O’Neil told me. "I think once you sign it, you're done. That’s why it’s important. And that's why the lawyers for those platforms, that's why they make the big bucks, right?” ## Add language to contracts to protect yourself ![lawyer Michelle May O’Neil speaks at sxsw 2026](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04t3PYTqYkM4WkLNiD2nhAQ/images-1.fill.size_2000x1125.v1773702383.jpg) Lawyer Michelle May O’Neil speaks at SXSW 2026. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable There are some important steps creators can take when negotiating contracts. For instance, you could ask for a sunset clause. This way, you’re licensing your likeness for a specific period of time, not “in perpetuity.” Creators can also ask for additional language rather than demanding brands delete specific clauses. “Don't fight to delete the clause. Add a clause. So instead of taking out the all media clause, add an exclusion. Add a carve-out. Say, ‘Okay, you can say all media, but I want to say excluding AI-generated or synthetic representations of me.” And speaking of AI... ## Technology moves much faster than the law We’re living in a world where deepfakes are commonplace. I reported on [deepfakes in YouTube Ads depicting celebrities](https://mashable.com/article/youtube-ai-video-ads) like Oprah and Hoda Kotb, despite all the moderation tech YouTube uses to filter bad ads. Using widely available tools, bad actors can now take a short video clip and create an AI clone of you that can do or say almost anything. Creators need to be proactive in protecting their likeness from AI clones. Major actors and writers unions have been [negotiating for AI protections in contracts](https://mashable.com/article/sag-aftra-actors-strike-ai-streaming) with studios, but unfortunately, creators don’t have a union to rely on. “You know, if you're gonna do an audiobook with Simon & Schuster and they don't want to agree to let you reserve your AI clone of your audio voice, maybe you shouldn't do that deal,” O’Neil said. Again, you can also ask for specific clauses that carve out an exception for AI clones. ## LLCs and trademark law In addition to bad contracts, O’Neil warned about two other ways creators lose their identity. First, they fail to create a legal entity, such as an LLC, for conducting business. A business entity creates a wall between you and your business asset, aka your likeness and your content. In addition, some creators fail to trademark their key franchises, trademarks, and ideas. And, crucially, they may also fail to defend their trademark, which can come back to haunt them if they ever do go to court. Unfortunately, while there are laws in Western countries to protect a creator’s likeness or right of publicity, international protections can be much weaker — or nonexistent. O’Neil raised the example of a recent AI deepfake video that [showed Tom Cruise fighting Brad Pitt](https://www.pcmag.com/news/did-that-viral-tom-cruise-brad-pitt-ai-fight-scene-get-a-green-screen-assist "(opens in a new window)") on a rooftop in a non-existent movie. She said Cruise was eventually able to get American companies to take down the video, but it remains online in many places. And if Cruise, with all of his money and the protections of actors’ unions, can’t protect his likeness, small-time creators have almost no chance at all. ## Put the family Instagram account in the pre-nup Finally, as in the [famous divorce case of Kat and Mike Stickler](https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/relationships/tiktok-influencers-marriage-divorce-youtube-instagram-a73c0e34 "(opens in a new window)"), if you’re creating content with a partner, make sure you have a plan for the dissolution of that partnership. Even if you only appear occasionally in your partner’s content, make sure they don’t retain a right to your likeness in the event of a breakup or divorce. That might even mean putting your Instagram and TikTok accounts in a pre-nup. ## AI is the problem, not the solution Finally, AI might seem like both the problem and the solution for creators who can’t afford a lawyer. After all, plenty of actual attorneys are now using ChatGPT, [even if they shouldn’t be](https://mashable.com/article/over-120-court-cases-caught-ai-hallucinations-new-database). But O’Neil cautioned creators from relying on AI chatbots for legal advice. Ultimately, ChatGPT is not a lawyer, and OpenAI has even been [sued for practicing law without a license](https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/openai-sued-for-practicing-law-without-a-license "(opens in a new window)"), most recently in March. Asking Claude, Gemini, or ChatGPT to review or redline a contract might be tempting, but ultimately, only an actual human lawyer can give you legal advice, as [some people have learned the hard way](https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/openai-hit-with-lawsuit-claiming-chatgpt-acted-an-unlicensed-lawyer-2026-03-05/ "(opens in a new window)"). We’re living in a brave new AI world, and the creator economy still lacks the regulations that protect businesses in other industries. So, creators, protect yourself and your likeness, because no one else will. Some of the quotes in this story have been lightly edited for clarity and grammar. *** Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems. ![headshot of timothy beck werth, a handsome journalist with great hair](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/authors/01B50WYJv6qIekM8haNgEad/image.fill.size_100x100.v1744924400.jpg) Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl. Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book. ![Mashable Potato](https://mashable.com/images/seamless-keep-scrolling.png) Every year the bracket drops, the internet loses its mind. This year was no different. ![A view of NCAA March Madness and Wilson logos prior to the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the UCLA Bruins](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03MaowjbkDgLnAfh30A3MSy/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1773675320.jpg) Credit: Melina Pizano/Getty Images March Madness is here. The field is set for the [2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament](https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/mml-official-bracket/2026-03-15/2026-ncaa-tournament-printable-bracket-schedule-march-madness "(opens in a new window)"), and Selection Sunday did exactly what Selection Sunday always does — gave 68 fanbases a reason to either celebrate or lose their minds on social media. The discourse was, as tradition demands, extremely annoying. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/petebvt/status/2033306264969646502 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/matthewwinick/status/2033311409535140194 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/coleadamss/status/2033154087168942383 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") The biggest flashpoint was the treatment of the Miami Redhawks — Miami, Ohio, not the other one — who were begrudgingly admitted into the tournament as a play-in team despite finishing with the first undefeated regular season since the 2020-21 Gonzaga Bulldogs. For months, pundits and fans spent an exhausting amount of energy debating whether the Redhawks would even deserve an at-large bid if they so much as dropped a single game. They finally did, falling in the MAC Championship quarterfinals, and apparently, going 31-1 still wasn't enough to earn any respect from the committee. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/BCrawford247/status/2032149084715315409 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") Instead of a clean Round of 64 berth, Miami (OH) now has to survive the First Four — the tournament's opening round play-in bracket featuring the four lowest-seeded at-large teams and the four weakest conference champions. Even still, people are not happy. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/JeffNadu/status/2032145935715688544 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/chrisfallica/status/2031032737025388705 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/T_Oglesby22/status/2033324400691535995 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") The selection committee's decision to keep Auburn out, however, [was met with widespread approval](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7121132/2026/03/15/mens-march-madness-selection-show-bruce-pearl/?unlocked_article_code=1.TlA.1ET8.Q5nRXu3Exh-1&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta "(opens in a new window)") from pretty much everyone who isn't an Auburn fan. The War Eagles' omission was made all the more satisfying by the weeks of national airtime eaten up by former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl — father of current Auburn coach Steven Pearl — passionately lobbying for a team with 16 losses to leapfrog a squad that went 31-1. The college basketball world heard the argument, considered it, and was very glad the committee did not. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/UMBCAthletics/status/2032985424575000909 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/BarstoolMiamiU/status/2032147163699167680 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/iam_johnw/status/2033312276875239810 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/DanWolken/status/2030504953102377443 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/ScottHughesCBB/status/2033311256988287122 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") Outside of the Miami (OH) and Auburn discourse, Selection Sunday and the return of March Madness this year mean a great collection of really good tweets. > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/FiredUpCoug/status/2032112959032533375 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/coleadamss/status/2033287360062824529 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/SickosCBB/status/2033325873781260397 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/iam_johnw/status/2033304185551159640 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/TheHoopHerald/status/2033381475979055547 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/AMitchReporting/status/2033347753724547454 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") > [This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.](https://twitter.com/CBKReport/status/2033327428517687718 "(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)") ## Where to get a printable March Madness bracket? If you like to keep things old school, there are several places to find printable, color brackets for this year's Men's and Women's tournaments. They can be found, linked here, over at the websites of [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bracket "(opens in a new window)"), [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-2026-printable-mens-ncaa-tournament/ "(opens in a new window)"), [Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/printable-march-madness-2026-brackets-for-mens-and-womens-ncaa-basketball-tournaments-141418976.html "(opens in a new window)"), [The Athletic](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7109751/2026/03/15/mens-march-madness-2026-printable-bracket/ "(opens in a new window)"), [USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2026/03/15/march-madness-printable-bracket-pdf-ncaa-tournament-2026/89099335007/ "(opens in a new window)"), and, of course, the [NCAA's official website](https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/mml-official-bracket/2026-03-15/2026-ncaa-tournament-printable-bracket-schedule-march-madness "(opens in a new window)"). They can also be found on most local news sites as well. ![Headshot of a Black man](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/authors/03tgQJc7HbwhuDaGMuSAh8J/image.fill.size_100x100.v1673717191.jpg) Assistant Editor, General Assignments Chance Townsend is the General Assignments Editor at Mashable, covering tech, video games, dating apps, digital culture, and whatever else comes his way. He has a Master's in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is a proud orange cat father. His writing has also appeared in PC Mag and Mother Jones. In his free time, he cooks, loves to sleep, and greatly enjoys Detroit sports. If you have any tips or want to talk shop about the Lions, you can reach out to him on Bluesky [@offbrandchance.bsky.social](https://bsky.app/profile/offbrandchance.bsky.social "(opens in a new window)") or by email at [\[email protected\]](https://mashable.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#43202b222d20266d372c342d30262d2703392a25252e26272a226d202c2e "(opens in a new window)"). ![Mashable Potato](https://mashable.com/images/seamless-keep-scrolling.png)
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