New York, NY – A proposed class action lawsuit filed in federal court in New York City accuses AI start-up LOVO of unlawfully using the voices of actors without their permission, including renowned talents like Scarlett Johansson, Ariana Grande, and Conan O’Brien. Voiceover actor Paul Skye Lehrman was taken aback when he heard his own voice in a YouTube video discussing Russia’s actions in Ukraine, despite never authorizing its use on the channel.
Lehrman’s experience led him to discover that his voice had also been featured in a podcast without his consent, prompting him and his wife, Linnea Sage, to take legal action against LOVO. The lawsuit alleges that LOVO unlawfully obtained the voices of multiple actors to train its AI system, a practice that is increasingly causing concern within the creative industry.
The lawsuit seeks to represent voiceover artists who believe their voices have been misappropriated by LOVO, a Berkeley-based company that has not responded to requests for comment on the matter. This legal action highlights the growing tension between creators and tech companies accused of profiting from unauthorized use of individuals’ voices to advance their technologies.
According to the complaint, LOVO obtained Lehrman’s voice through a freelance platform under false pretenses, falsely claiming that it would only be used for academic research. However, Lehrman later discovered his voice in various commercial settings without receiving proper compensation.
Sage, a voiceover artist with years of experience, also alleges that LOVO used her voice without consent, potentially jeopardizing her professional opportunities in the industry. The lawsuit argues that the company’s actions not only violate individual rights but also undermine the integrity and livelihood of voiceover artists.
The legal action underscores the need for clearer regulations around the use of AI technology to replicate human voices and faces, particularly in commercial settings. As the industry grapples with the implications of such practices, SAG-AFTRA has emphasized the importance of protecting artists’ intellectual property rights in the digital age.
The lawsuit against LOVO is just one example of the broader challenges faced by creatives in an increasingly digitized world, where technologies like AI present both opportunities and risks. As debates over data privacy and intellectual property continue, cases like this serve as a reminder of the complex ethical and legal issues at play in the intersection of technology and creative industries.