this post was submitted on 26 Jan 2024
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George Carlin Estate Files Lawsuit Against Group Behind AI-Generated Stand-Up Special: ‘A Casual Theft of a Great American Artist’s Work’::George Carlin's estate has filed a lawsuit against the creators behind an AI-generated comedy special featuring a recreation of the comedian's voice.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

I would agree with you if they hadn't named their video "George Carlin - I'm glad I'm dead". This is the equivalent of a Taylor Swift band putting out original work and naming their upload "Taylor Swift - my new song".

I shouldn't have to wonder if the video I'm clicking is by the original artist or an AI/Impersonator. It should be clear without a doubt.

There is a line and it's pretty generous but I think they crossed it, most likely purposely as to drum up controversy and make a quick buck. It's a shame because this kind of irresponsibility is only going to cause problems.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I mean, fair enough. But what alive person titles their show "I'm glad I'm dead?" Especially since people that know George know he's dead. It's almost The Onion level of satire. And once the video starts, it immediately starts with a disclaimer that it's not Carlin, but AI. Nobody would sit through the entire show only to be dumbfounded later that it wasn't actually Carlin risen from the dead.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago (1 children)

We can't really go on a case per case basis on this imo. It would start to get silly fast, like it's okay if the wording makes it kind of obvious as long as it's dead people.

And ya, everyone knows he's dead but not everyone knows all of his shows and skit, in a year or two, the AI specials will vastly outnumber the original ones and not all are going to have such an obvious tell in the name.

Don't get me wrong though, I think it's fine as long as it explicitly states it's from an AI or impersonator in the title.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

You're right, it can lead to a flood of new material that could overshadow his old works. But that would basically require it to be as good if not better than his old works, which I just don't think will happen. Had nobody bat an eye at this, it would have just sunk into obscurity, as is the fate of many creative works. Should more shows be made, I think after the third people would just not even care anymore. Most haven't even bothered to watch the first, after all.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I also think it will eventually become normalized, it's hard to keep track of. I also think these lawsuits should be aimed at the platforms for allowing mislabeling and not at the individual creators.

I like Vernor Vinge's take on it in one of his short stories where copyrights are lessened to 6 months and companies must quickly develop their new Worlds/Characters before they become public domain.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

For sure! Deceit should be punished. Ethical AI usage should not go without disclosure, so I think we must be understanding to people choosing to be open about that, rather than having to hide it to dodge hate.

I like Vernor Vinge’s take on it in one of his short stories where copyrights are lessened to 6 months and companies must quickly develop their new Worlds/Characters before they become public domain.

That's an interesting idea. Although 6 months does sound like an awfully short time to actually develop something more grand. But I do think with fairer copyright limits we could also afford to provide more protections in the early days after a work's release. It's definitely worth discussing such ideas to make copyright better for everyone.