[Bommer]

how can you own the rights to the likeness of a dead famous public person?

Your kidding, right? Try to use Humphrey Bogarts face to sell something and watch what happens.

[HHFi]

I'm not a lawyer, but I work in radio and my wife is a club performer. Seems to me it would depend on how it's used. If you put Elvis's face in a commercial or on a product label, that would be an unauthorized use. But declaring that live performers who impersonate Elvis as a tribute are infringing on the Elvis estate's rights is a real stretch.

They are not claiming to be Elvis; they are not using any images or recordings of the real Elvis; and they are selling their own "talent" (such as it is) for impersonation, not Elvis's talent. The only question might be how the show is advertised and if they use Elvis' name and likeness without permission in the promotional materials. As long as they have an ASCAP/BMI license to perform the songs publicly, I don't see how this case can be won. Of course, this isn't in America, so the laws might be different. But I don't think Rich Little has to pay royalties to everyone he imitates during a Las Vegas show.

[reagandemo]

How about Steve McQueen and Fred Astaire. Both of them have been used in commercials.