California passes landmark bill on AI replication of deceased performers

Lauren Taylor: CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS PASSED GROUNDBREAKING LEGISLATION — REQUIRING CONSENT FOR AI REPLICATION OF DEAD PERFORMERS.

THE BILL IS A SIGNIFICANT VICTORY FOR SAG-AFTRA IN ITS ONGOING FIGHT AGAINST what it sees as UNCHECKED AI USAGE IN ENTERTAINMENT.

AS THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY GRAPPLES WITH THE IMPLICATIONS OF AI TECHNOLOGY – THE legislation REQUIRES CONSENT from the owner of the estate BEFORE A DEAD ACTOR OR PERFORMER’S LIKENESS CAN BE REPLICATED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – AIMING TO PROTECT PERFORMERS’ RIGHTS IN THE DIGITAL AGE AND SHAPE THE FUTURE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS.

THE BILL COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF MEDIA, INCLUDING FILMS, TV SHOWS, VIDEO GAMES, AUDIOBOOKS, COMMERCIALS, AND SOUND RECORDINGS with damages for VIOLATIONS OF AT LEAST $10,000.

EARLIER THIS YEAR – TUPAC’S ESTATE THREATENED TO SUE DRAKE OVER THE UNAUTHORIZED USE OF TUPAC’S LIKENESS IN A DISS TRACK WHICH FEATURED AN AI GENERATED FORM OF THE LATE TUPAC’S VOICE.

“NOT ONLY IS THE RECORD A FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF TUPAC’S PUBLICITY AND THE ESTATE’S LEGAL RIGHTS, IT IS ALSO A BLATANT ABUSE OF THE LEGACY OF ONE OF THE GREATEST HIP-HOP ARTISTS OF ALL TIME” A LAWYER FOR TUPAC’S ESTATE WROTE.

GOV NEWSOM HAS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30TH TO SIGN THE BILL INTO LAW.

FOR SAN, I’M LT.