- Signed Bills and Their Purpose
- Changes in Postmortem Right of Publicity
- Strengthening Protections for Performers in Contracts
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two key bills aimed at protecting performers' digital likenesses. These bills provide more power to individuals and estates to control the use of their name, image, and voice, particularly in light of advanced AI technology.
Signed Bills and Their Purpose
The bills aim to protect individual rights during their lifetime and posthumously, with exceptions for news, public affairs, and satire. One of the bills, A.B. 1836, amends California's postmortem right of publicity law, regulating the use of computer-generated images and voices of deceased individuals.
Changes in Postmortem Right of Publicity
A.B. 1836 requires that before technologies can be used to recreate the image or voice of a deceased person, permission must be sought from that individual's estate. However, some uses, such as news reports, sports broadcasts, and documentaries, remain permissible.
Strengthening Protections for Performers in Contracts
The second bill, A.B. 2602, introduced in April, strengthens protections for artists in their contracts, specifically concerning the use of digital likenesses. The bill covers various industries, including film, television, video games, commercials, and audiobooks, and applies to both union and non-union performers, providing broad protection.
The signing of these bills marks a significant step towards protecting performers' rights. A separate AI-related bill, S.B. 1047, is still awaiting the governor's action, aiming to enforce security measures for AI developers in California.
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