The Japanese government is mulling a move that would protect celebrity voices and likenesses from replication with generative AI.
The industry ministry may make some personal attributes protected assets under the Unfair Competition Prevention Act. This comes as AI makes it increasingly easy to copy likenesses.
Last month, Japanese voice actor Tsuda Kenjiro sued the operator of a video-sharing app over the replication of his voice.
The Tokyo District Court issued a first-of-its-kind ruling recognizing that a person’s voice can be protected under publicity rights. It found that such unauthorized reproductions could infringe on the right of public figures to control the commercial use of their identity.
Current law allows people to seek injunctions against conduct that distorts fair competition. The ministry is now considering extending those protections to voices and likenesses.
The ministry plans to hold discussions on the issue with a panel of experts.
AloJapan.com