California has taken a significant step towards protecting performers' rights by passing a law that requires studios to obtain consent before using AI-generated likenesses. The legislation aims to prevent the unauthorized use of digital replicas and ensure that performers are compensated for their work.
 |
| California has passed a landmark law requiring studios to obtain consent before using AI-generated likenesses of performers. The law protects both living and deceased actors and aims to prevent the unauthorized use of digital replicas. Symbolic image |
California, USA - September 18, 2024:
California has become the first state to pass a law safeguarding performers' rights in the age of artificial intelligence. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2602, which will go into effect on January 1, 2025, requiring studios and other employers to obtain consent before using digital replicas of actors.
The bill addresses concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology to replace real performers. It mandates that employers cannot use an AI recreation of an actor's voice or likeness if it would replace work the performer could have done in person. Additionally, the bill prevents the use of digital replicas if the actor's contract does not explicitly state how the deepfake will be used.
In a significant step forward for performers' rights, the bill also grants similar protections to deceased actors. Assembly Bill 1836 requires the estates of deceased performers to give consent before their AI likenesses are used.
The passage of these landmark laws is a victory for performers' unions, such as SAG-AFTRA, which have been advocating for stronger protections in the face of advancing AI technology. These laws set a precedent for other states and countries to follow, ensuring that performers' rights are safeguarded in the digital age.