The best statement that summarizes how the U.S. government would address the scenario to protect intellectual property rights is: A right of publicity would give the company the right to trademark Dr. Acorn in order to prevent unauthorized product endorsements.
This statement is most relevant to the scenario where Dr. Acorn's likeness is used in a way that could imply an endorsement of the drinking water company's product without his authorization. The right of publicity relates to an individual's right to control the commercial use of their name and likeness.