George Carlin’s estate sues media company for fake A.I. comedy special
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
10:09 AM – Monday, January 29, 2024
The estate of the late stand-up comedy legend George Carlin is currently suing a media company that created an hour-long comedy special using artificial intelligence (AI) to imitate the comedian’s style and content.
The lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday in federal court in Los Angeles, requests that a judge compel the podcast outlet Dudesy to immediately remove the program, “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead,” which features a synthesis of Carlin commenting on contemporary affairs.
Carlin passed away from congestive heart failure in 2008.
Kelly Carlin, the daughter of the late comedian, stated that the work is “a poorly executed facsimile cobbled together by unscrupulous individuals to capitalize on the extraordinary goodwill my father established with his adoring fanbase.”
The lawsuit names the Carlin estate and Jerold Hamza, its executor, as plaintiffs. It claims that Carlin’s copyright and right of publicity have been violated. Dudesy podcast hosts Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen have been named as the lawsuit’s defendants.
Sasso is an actor and comedian as well, while Kultgen is a journalist and author.
“None of the defendants had permission to use Carlin’s likeness for the AI-generated ‘George Carlin Special,’ nor did they have a license to use any of the late comedian’s copyrighted materials,” the lawsuit states.
The AI engine utilized by Dudesy introduced the special on YouTube on January 9th, claiming to have listened to the comic’s 50 years of material and having “did my best to imitate his voice, cadence, and attitude, as well as the subject matter I think would have interested him today.”
The plaintiffs claim that if that is indeed how the A.I. audio was created, since some listeners have questioned its claimed place of origin, then Carlin’s copyright was indeed infringed.
This case is one of the first of many significant legal actions that will be taken in order to stop the repurposed use of celebrity photos and likenesses in any form.
The plaintiffs’ attorney, Josh Schiller, said in a statement that the action is about “humans who use AI to violate the law, infringe on intellectual property rights, and flout common decency,” not solely about AI.
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Should AI-generated content be treated differently under copyright laws, and what additional safeguards need to be put in place to protect the rights of artists and their estates
Ed.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants have profited from the unauthorized use of Carlin’s likeness and copyrighted material. The estate is seeking damages, as well as an injunction to prevent further distribution of the comedy special.
This case raises important questions about the intersection of technology, creativity, and intellectual property rights. With the advancements in AI, it is now possible to create works that imitate the style and content of deceased artists. However, the use of someone’s likeness and copyrighted material without permission raises ethical and legal concerns.
While it can be argued that AI-generated content falls under fair use or transformative use, in this case, the plaintiffs argue that the defendants have not obtained the necessary licenses or permissions to use Carlin’s likeness and copyrighted material.
This lawsuit also highlights the issue of preserving the reputation and legacy of deceased artists. Carlin was a revered and influential comedian, and the unauthorized use of his likeness and content could potentially tarnish his legacy.
The outcome of this lawsuit will have implications not only for the Carlin estate but also for other artists and creators. It will set a precedent for the use of AI-generated content and the rights of deceased artists and their estates.
In the digital age, where technology allows for easy replication and distribution of content, it is crucial to protect artists’ intellectual property rights. While AI offers new possibilities for creative expression, it should be used responsibly and with respect for the rights of the original creators.
The Carlin estate’s lawsuit serves as a reminder that intellectual property laws need to adapt to this rapidly changing technological landscape. It poses the question of whether AI-generated content should be treated differently under copyright laws and whether additional safeguards need to be put in place to protect the rights of artists and their estates.
As this case unfolds, the legal and ethical implications of AI-generated content will be closely examined. It is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires careful consideration and debate.
Regardless of the outcome, this lawsuit has sparked an important conversation about the boundaries of technology and the rights of artists. It serves as a reminder that in the age of AI, we must navigate the ethical and legal implications to ensure the protection and respect of intellectual property rights.
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