George Carlin Estate v. Dudesy

AI and Intellectual Property

• Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court

• Case Name: George Carlin Estate v. Dudesy

• Date Settled: April 2024

• Summary: The estate of late comedian George Carlin sued the podcast company Dudesy after it produced a comedy special using AI to replicate Carlin’s comedic style and voice without permission. The estate claimed the special infringed on Carlin's posthumous right to publicity and constituted a violation of his intellectual property rights. The settlement required Dudesy to remove the content and agree not to use Carlin's likeness or comedic style in the future.

• Impact: This settlement highlights the complex relationship between AI-generated content and intellectual property rights, particularly regarding deceased individuals. It could prompt courts to expand intellectual property protections to include likeness and style in cases involving AI reproductions. Such outcomes may lead to more stringent requirements for obtaining permission before generating AI content in the likeness of specific individuals, whether deceased or alive, especially as technology improves in replicating voices and personalities. Creators may need to consult legal teams more frequently to avoid infringement risks.

  Source: https://apnews.com/article/beac699805cf5466b462f4cc1cac9536