Estate of George Carlin settles with podcast over AI-generated special

Apr 3

Lauren Taylor Anchor

By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), Brock Koller (Senior Producer), William Jackson (Producer), Ian Kennedy (Lead Video Editor)

The estate of the late comedian George Carlin has settled a lawsuit with the “Dudesy” podcast, which had purportedly used an AI-generated version of Carlin to comment on current events in an audio special earlier this year. The alleged artificially generated comedy special imitating the late comedian was titled ‘I’m Glad I’m Dead.’

George Carlin’s Estate Reaches Settlement After A.I. Podcasthttps://t.co/km3Vc6LOx8
— George Carlin (@TheGeorgeCarlin) April 3, 2024

Filed in January, the lawsuit accused the podcast of infringing on the copyrights and publicity rights associated with Carlin’s name, image, and likeness. Carlin, who passed away in 2008, remains a significant figure in comedy.

Following the lawsuit, the podcast’s creators removed the special from their YouTube channel and, as part of the settlement, agreed not to re-upload the video or use Carlin’s image on any platform.

“I am pleased that this matter was resolved quickly and amicably, and I am grateful that the defendants acted responsibly by swiftly removing the video they made,” said Carlin’s daughter Kelly Carlin.

Carlin’s daughter emphasized its importance as a cautionary tale regarding the use of AI and the necessity for proper safeguards.

Tags: Artificial Intelligence

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

THE ESTATE OF GEORGE CARLIN HAS REACHED A SETTLEMENT — WITH A PODCAST THAT PURPORTEDLY USED AN A-I-GENERATED VERSION OF THE LATE COMEDIAN SPEAKING ON CURRENT EVENTS DURING AN AUDIO SPECIAL EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE ESTATE FILED A LAWSUIT IN JANUARY SAYING — THE “DUDESY” PODCAST VIOLATED ITS COPYRIGHTS AND ITS PUBLICITY RIGHTS TO THE LATE COMEDIAN’S NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS. CARLIN DIED IN 2008.

THE PODCAST CREATORS HAVE SINCE REMOVED THE SPECIAL FROM THEIR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

UNDER THE SETTLEMENT – THE CREATORS CAN NOT UPLOAD THE VIDEO AGAIN OR USE CARLIN’S IMAGE IN ANY PLATFORM.

CARLIN’S DAUGHTER ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING — SHE IS PLEASED THIS MATTER WAS SOLVED QUICKLY — ADDING SHE HOPES THIS CASE SERVES AS A WARNING ABOUT THE DANGERS OF A-I AND THE NEED FOR APPROPRIATE SAFEGUARDS.