A federal judge in New York has greenlighted a class action lawsuit brought by two voice-over artists who allege that a California-based AI startup, Lovo Inc., unlawfully appropriated their voices for its text-to-speech platform. While the judge dismissed claims related to federal copyright, he allowed the artists’ allegations concerning breach of contract and deceptive business practices to move forward, along with additional copyright claims asserting the misuse of their voices as training data for the AI.
Paul Skye Lehrman and Linnea Sage, who reside in New York City, filed their lawsuit after discovering that clones of their voices were being marketed on Lovo's Genny platform. They had separately engaged with Lovo employees via Fiverr, under the premise that their voice work would be utilized only for "academic research purposes" and would remain internal, rather than being publicly released.
However, the couple was shocked to encounter an AI chatbot using Lehrman’s voice discussing the potential impact of AI on the entertainment industry, prompting a moment of realization that their voices had not remained confidential. Further investigation revealed that Sage's voice was featured in a fundraising video for Lovo, and Lehrman’s voice was being used in advertisements, raising significant privacy and consent issues.
Lovo had sought to have the entire lawsuit dismissed, but the recent judicial ruling reflects a growing movement where artists are pushing back against AI companies over allegations that their intellectual property is being exploited without permission. The plaintiffs' attorney, Steve Cohen, hailed the decision as a remarkable victory and expressed optimism that a jury will ultimately hold Lovo accountable for its actions.
As legal challenges continue to mount against AI companies from creative professionals, the case is set to proceed in the US District Court in Manhattan, signaling an evolving landscape in the intersection of technology and intellectual property rights.
