zlacker

Hiring a different voice artist might show that they didn't use deepfake technology to imitate Johansson’s voice, but it absolutely doesn't prove that the voice isn't an imitation and one for which they would have been liable under existing law.

>>dragon+(OP)
voice imitation is illegal?

>>dragon+(OP)
exactly . when you cover an artist on your show, you have to take permission first.

I am not a copyright expert, but I do own a few of Weird Al albums and he is very diligent about obtaining permissions from artists he is covering.

>>apwell+d
Copying likeness can be.

>>manish+E
> Weird Al albums and he is very diligent about obtaining permissions from artists he is covering.

IIUC, Weird Al probably doesn't need permission for his parodies, legally speaking. He does get it anyway.

>>monoca+91
Not for commercial purposes and not in California. Otherwise you’d just hire an impersonator and never pay for celebrity endorsement.

>>apwell+d
Discussed a lot in the last thread on the issue, but, yes, imitation of celebrity voices voices for commercial purposes can violate the right of publicity (also known as the right of personality) in many US jurisdictions, including California (this is a matter of state statute and/or common law, not federal law.)

>>hehdhd+v7
That's what I said, copying likeness can be illegal.

>>manish+E
> I am not a copyright expert

It’s not a copyright issue, it’s a right of publicity issue, a completely separate legal issue (conceptually, more trademark-like than copyright-like, but distinct from either.)

>>hehdhd+v7
Worth pointing out that this doesn't really do the same thing. Some percentage of the time it will be detected by some of your customers and it won't work the same for them.

It's not just about seeing a celeb face. There's more going on that was discovered in the 80's and 90's, I think (that's when it became a big thing at least).

Built into it is the implication that the celeb likes the product. Additionally, products and branding have become a part of our personalities (IMO bad trend). So in a way you can BE like the celeb.

You will be just as cool as michael jackson if you just hold a pepsi in your hand. Sure, none of us really think this at face value, however it's implied and hinted at.

>>hehdhd+v7
And whats wrong with hiring an impersonator?

>>postal+nj
If not for parody, it's normally a violation of likeness rights.

>>monoca+1k
Are those rights only celebrities enjoy?

>>postal+Wk
Not exactly.

>>postal+Wk
Kind of, not in that there is a binary “celebrity/not-celebrity” divide, but the interest protected and the potential for damages from violating them are associated with the kind of public commercial exposure that is associated with celebrity.

>>postal+Wk
No, they extend to anybody.

>>hehdhd+Rr1
So if you hire a voice actor that naturally sounds like a celebrity then you should be safe from any legal action. Otherwise they could sue each other.

>>postal+i73
Look up the concept of mens rea - the intent matters. If you hire somebody because you want a look/voice-alike that is legally distinct from hiring somebody who happens to have a certain voice.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mens_rea