The estate of legendary comedian George Carlin has reached a settlement with the media company it sued over a fake hourlong comedy special that purportedly used artificial intelligence to recreate Carlin's style and material. The settlement agreement, filed with a federal court and awaiting approval from a judge, requires the podcast outlet Dudesy to permanently take down the special and refrain from using Carlin's image, voice, or likeness without express written approval from the estate.
The lawsuit, filed on Jan. 25, was prompted by the release of an audio special titled “George Carlin: I'm Glad I'm Dead,” where a synthesized version of Carlin delivered commentary on current events. The defendants, Dudesy and two hosts, released a companion podcast episode discussing the clips.
Carlin's daughter, Kelly Carlin, expressed gratitude for the swift removal of the video and highlighted the need for safeguards against AI technologies. The settlement addresses the central demands of the Carlin estate and serves as a warning about the potential dangers posed by AI in the creative industry.
The lawsuit is seen as a significant move in the ongoing battle against the unauthorized use of celebrity images and likenesses. The estate's lawyer described the settlement as a blueprint for resolving similar disputes involving AI technology and emphasized the importance of protecting artists' rights and legacies.
The issue of AI infringement is becoming increasingly prevalent, as seen in last year's Hollywood writers and actors strikes. The resolution of this case underscores the reputational and intellectual property threats posed by emerging technologies and the importance of upholding the rights of artists and public figures.
