property of The late comedian George Carlin has settled a lawsuit with the podcast Dudesy over an AI-generated comedy special.
On Tuesday, the Carlin family's attorney shared that the podcast's creator had removed the computer-generated special. George Carlin: “I'm glad I died'' from YouTube following a lawsuit filed in January.
“We are pleased that this matter was resolved quickly and amicably, and that the defendants acted responsibly in swiftly deleting the videos they created,” Carlin's daughter Kelly said in a statement. I am grateful.” “While it is absolutely unfortunate that something like this happened, this incident serves as a warning about the dangers posed by AI technology and the need for appropriate safeguards, not just for artists and creators, but for all humans on the planet. I hope so.”
Back in January, Carlin's estate filed a lawsuit against Dudecy for using the comedian's copyrighted works without permission. The lawsuit charges that the special is “computer-generated click bait that undermines Carlin's comedic work and tarnishes his reputation” and “is a casual theft of the work of a great American artist.” he added.
Will Sasso and Chad Krutgen, hosts of the Dudesy podcast and YouTube show, were named as defendants. Twenty John Does were also named, with five listed as creators of the AI programs and 15 listed as individuals or entities that “contributed to the production, production, or sponsorship” of the AI-generated specials. There is.
“This settlement is a great result for our client and provides a blueprint for resolving similar disputes in the future when artists and celebrities have their rights violated by AI technology,” said estate attorney Joshua. Schiller said in a statement. “Our goal is to quickly resolve this case and remove the disturbing video from the internet, preserving Mr. Carlin's legacy and highlighting the reputational and intellectual property threats posed by this emerging technology. That was it.”
“The world is beginning to realize the power and potential dangers inherent in AI tools that can imitate voices, generate fake photos, and alter videos,” the attorney added. “This is not a problem that will go away on its own. We must take swift and strong action in the courts, and there must be some accountability from AI software companies whose technology is being weaponized.”
At the beginning of the special, an AI-generated version of Carlin's voice “listens to all of George Carlin's material and does its best to imitate his voice, rhythm, demeanor, and the subjects it seemed to be interested in.” I did my best,” he said. today. “
The lawsuit alleges that the defendant's “unauthorized” use of his work amounted to copyright infringement and violation of the comedian's publicity rights, stating that the “one-hour fake comedy show” was “the voice of George Carlin, He criticized the government for calling it a “reflection of the current state of affairs.” Since his death in 2008, he would have commented on current events. ”