Arijit Singh gets court relief from AI exploitation

The judge ruled that freedom of speech allows for critique and commentary but not for the commercial exploitation of a celebrity’s persona

• India Weekly
• 31 July, 2024

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By: India Weekly

SINGER and composer Arijit Singh has won interim relief from the Bombay High Court against the unauthorized use of his voice and other attributes by AI tools.

Justice R I Chagla, on July 26, restrained eight online platforms from using Singh’s “personality rights” without consent and ordered the removal of all such content and voice conversion tools.

The court highlighted the vulnerability of celebrities to unauthorized AI-generated content. Singh’s petition argued that these platforms provide tools to create artificial sound recordings that mimic his voice, mannerisms, and other traits.

Justice Chagla stated, “What shocks the conscience of this court is the manner in which celebrities, particularly performers such as the present plaintiff, are vulnerable to being targeted by unauthorized generative AI content.” He added that freedom of speech allows for critique and commentary but not for the commercial exploitation of a celebrity’s persona.

Singh’s lawyer, Hiren Kamod, emphasized that the singer has consciously avoided brand endorsements or commercialization of his personality traits for several years.

The court agreed that Singh’s personality traits, including his name, voice, image, and persona, are protectable elements of his personality rights.

The high court observed that unauthorized AI tools facilitate the manipulation of a celebrity’s voice, undermining their ability to prevent deceptive uses of their identity.

The platforms in question were creating counterfeit sound recordings and videos, affecting Singh’s reputation and causing ridicule, embarrassment, and humiliation.

The petition sought protection of Singh’s personality rights against unauthorized commercial exploitation and misuse, highlighting that he hails from a small town and has become one of the world’s most celebrated singers through his immense goodwill and successful career.