Singer Taylor Swift has taken a legal step to protect her image from misuse by artificial intelligence. Following Matthew McConaughey's strategy, she registered a photo and two of her phrases with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The goal is to prevent third parties from generating deepfakes or unauthorized imitations using her voice and likeness.
The legal strategy against generative deepfakes ⚖️
Swift's lawyers have applied a proven method: registering specific elements of her identity as intellectual property with the USPTO. This includes a specific image and two phrases that characterize her. By doing so, they create a solid legal foundation to sue anyone using generative AI to replicate her voice or face without permission. The measure relies on copyright and trademark laws, closing the door on digital forgeries.
Now AI will have to ask for permission to imitate her 🤖
It seems artificial intelligence will have to find another muse. Taylor Swift, tired of machines imitating her without so much as an invitation to dinner, has shielded her essence at the patent office. Now, if a bot wants to utter one of her phrases, it will have to pay royalties or face a lawsuit. At least AI won't have to worry about buying tickets to her concerts: it can no longer fake her voice to sing in the virtual shower.