A high-profile Japanese anime voice actor, Kenjiro Tsuda, has filed a lawsuit against TikTok over videos that he claims feature an artificial intelligence clone of his distinctive baritone voice. Tsuda, known for his starring roles in mega-franchises including "Jujutsu Kaisen" and "Yu-Gi-Oh!", is demanding that TikTok remove the videos, which he says infringe on his publicity rights. The lawsuit is believed to be Japan's first seeking to defend an individual's vocal identity against AI-generated copies.
The videos in question were posted by an anonymous account on TikTok, which combined images and seemingly AI-generated speech about urban legends, occult phenomena, and conspiracy theories. The account, whose picture resembled a "Jujutsu Kaisen" character dubbed by Tsuda, gained a significant following and would have brought in substantial revenue. Tsuda's legal team argues that the account's popularity was solely due to the use of his attractive voice, which was used without his permission.
The Japan Actors Union has expressed support for Tsuda, with executive director Yuko Sasaki stating that an actor's voice is the result of years of rigorous training and apprenticeship. Sasaki emphasized that the union believes the court should acknowledge that ownership of a voice is a fundamental right. The union has launched a campaign, called "No More", against using generative AI to mimic performers without permission.
The issue of AI voice cloning has sparked concerns globally, with the International Federation of Actors stating that copyright and data protection laws are not being adequately adapted to protect performers from AI clones. The case has garnered international interest, with experts predicting that the verdict will have implications for the entertainment industry worldwide. TikTok has argued that the voice in question is a "generic male voice" and that Tsuda's accusations are subjective.
The Tokyo District Court is set to rule on the case, with a verdict due on Wednesday. The court's decision is expected to have significant implications for the entertainment industry, particularly in Japan. The case has also sparked a wider debate about the use of AI-generated content and the need for clearer regulations to protect performers' rights.
Experts believe that the verdict will have international implications, particularly in the wake of similar incidents involving AI voice cloning. In 2024, ChatGPT maker OpenAI was forced to apologize to star Scarlett Johansson over a synthetic voice that sounded like her. The case has highlighted the need for greater protection for performers' rights in the face of rapidly evolving AI technology.
Veteran voice actor Michihiro Ikemizu has expressed solidarity with Tsuda, stating that AI will never outperform human actors. Ikemizu emphasized that human actors bring a unique quality to their performances, which AI technology cannot replicate. The case is set to continue the conversation about the role of AI in the entertainment industry and the need for greater protection for performers' rights.
Key points
- The lawsuit filed by Kenjiro Tsuda against TikTok is believed to be Japan's first seeking to defend an individual's vocal identity against AI-generated copies.
- The case has garnered international interest, with experts predicting that the verdict will have implications for the entertainment industry worldwide.
- The issue of AI voice cloning has sparked concerns globally, with the International Federation of Actors stating that copyright and data protection laws are not being adequately adapted to protect performers from AI clones.
