Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has introduced new legislation aimed at safeguarding songwriters, performers, and other professionals in the music industry from the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). The announcement was made at Nashville’s renowned RCA Studio A, a historic venue where numerous music legends have recorded their music. The proposal has garnered support from industry leaders, lawmakers, and songwriters who are concerned about the threats posed by AI.
The legislation seeks to prevent AI tools from replicating an artist’s voice without their explicit consent. Governor Lee highlighted the importance of protecting artists’ voices and hopes that this legislation will set an example for other states to follow. Although the bill has yet to be formally introduced in the Tennessee Legislature and its text has not been made public, it underscores the state’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by AI.
Governor Lee drew inspiration from the legal battle surrounding Elvis Presley’s unauthorized use of name and likeness after his death in 1977. To protect personalities even after death, the Tennessee Legislature passed the Personal Rights Protection Act in 1984. This act ensures that personality rights are inheritable and assignable, treating them as property rights rather than rights of publicity. Only two other states, California and New York, currently have similar protections, making it easier for individuals to seek legal recourse.
While existing laws protect names, photographs, and likenesses, there is currently no legislation specifically safeguarding vocal likeness. Given the increasing prevalence of AI and its potential to replicate an artist’s work, musicians are advocating for stronger protections against AI tools that generate music, video, imagery, and text without consent.
The objective of the proposed legislation is to prevent AI tools from using an artist’s song or voice to create new content without permission. Bart Herbison, executive director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, emphasized the importance of fair compensation for artists. He noted the rapid advancements in generative AI tools and the need to address their potential misuse.
Similar AI legislation is expected to emerge across the United States as state legislatures reconvene. California is already considering measures to establish safety, privacy, and nondiscrimination standards for generative AI tools and services. At the federal level, the U.S. Copyright Office is exploring potential copyright reforms in response to AI, while a bipartisan group of senators has introduced the No Artificial Intelligence Fake Replicas And Unauthorized Duplications Act of 2024 to combat harmful digital human impersonations.
Governor Lee’s proposed legislation in Tennessee underscores the growing concern around AI’s impact on creativity and intellectual property rights. By taking a proactive stance, Tennessee aims to lead the way in protecting artists in the digital age.
The source of the article is from the blog lokale-komercyjne.pl