Yeah, that’ll stop ‘em! 😉 Regardless, proposed senate legislation would outlaw unauthorized AI-generated likenesses of actors, singers & others.

According to Deadline (Senate Legislation Would Outlaw Unauthorized AI-Generated Likenesses; SAG-AFTRA Lauds “No Fakes Act”, written by Erik Pedersen and available here), last Thursday, four U.S. senators announced a discussion draft bill aimed at protecting actors, singers and others from having their voice and likeness generated by artificial intelligence. The bipartisan Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act, or NO FAKES Act (see what they did there? 😉 ), would hold people, companies and platforms liable for producing or hosting such digital replicas.

Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) sponsored the bill.

It prevents the “production of a digital replica without consent of the applicable individual or rights holder” unless part of a news, public affairs, sports broadcast, documentary, or biographical work. The rights would apply throughout a person’s lifetime and, for their estate, 70 years after their death.

The bill includes an exception for using digital duplicates for parodies, satire, and criticism. It also excludes commercial activities like commercials as long as the advertisement is for news, a documentary, or a parody.

SAG-AFTRA applauded the announcement, with President Fran Drescher saying: “A performer’s voice and their appearance are all part of their unique essence, and it’s not ok when those are used without their permission. Consent is key.”

The bill offers historic federal IP protections against the misappropriation of voice and likeness performance in sound recordings and audiovisual works. It also prohibits the unauthorized use of digital replicas without the informed consent of the individuals being replicated.

Assuming it passes, the ability to enforce it will (as usual) be the key to making a difference. But I like the intent! Hat tip to Nick Wittenberg for the heads up!

So, what do you think? Do you think this proposed senate legislation that would outlaw deepfakes of actors and singers will make a difference? Please share any comments you might have or if you’d like to know more about a particular topic.

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