By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief A coalition of Canada's top news organizations is suing OpenAI for using its content to train its ChatGPT generative AI bot. The coalition includes The Canadian Press wire service, Torstar, the Globe and Mail, Postmedia and CBC/Radio-Canada. For full disclosure, the author of this story worked at CBC/Radio Canada, and … [Read more...] about Canadian News Media Open New Front in War Over AI and Copyright
Artificial Intelligence
Blade Runner 2049 Suing Tesla for Copyright Infringement
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief This may be the most '2024' news story I've seen yet, especially for the licensing industry. Combining artificial intelligence, copyright infringement, sci fi movies, robot taxis, Tesla, and a brash move by Elon Musk, a new lawsuit from the makers of Blade Runner 2049 is like a mashup of 2024 doom-scrolling headlines. Blade Runner 2049 … [Read more...] about Blade Runner 2049 Suing Tesla for Copyright Infringement
George Carlin Estate Settles Lawsuit Over ‘AI Comedy Special’
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The estate of George Carlin won a settlement with a media company over a fake, hour-long comedy special, purportedly using AI to portray the comedian. As TLL first reported in January, the estate filed a federal lawsuit against the comedy podcast Dudesy for an hour-long comedy special sold as an AI-generated impression of the late … [Read more...] about George Carlin Estate Settles Lawsuit Over ‘AI Comedy Special’
Watch ASCAP’s Video Doc on AI and Music For Free
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief If you'd like to learn more about how the music industry is responding to the challenges and opportunities of AI, check out the new documentary from ASCAP. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has just released a documentary on YouTube on their 2023 ASCAP Lab Music and AI Challenge. Prelude in AI Major: Crafting a … [Read more...] about Watch ASCAP’s Video Doc on AI and Music For Free
Licensing Law: Google Faces Fines, Multibillion Dollar Lawsuit In Europe
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The search and advertising giant Google is facing a double whammy of legal threats over its media activities in the European Union. In one case, Google was fined €250 million on March 20 by French regulators, who say the company breached an agreement to pay media companies for reproducing their content online. In the second case, … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Google Faces Fines, Multibillion Dollar Lawsuit In Europe
SAG-AFTRA Calling for Ban on Deep Fake Porn After Taylor Swift Targeted by AI
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Generative AI may have just picked on the wrong celebrity, as millions of fans are furiously attacking porn sites that have posted deep fakes of the Taylor Swift. The actors union SAG-AFTRA is also coming after generative AI deep fakes, once more calling for the US government to ban them, saying the images are “upsetting, harmful and … [Read more...] about SAG-AFTRA Calling for Ban on Deep Fake Porn After Taylor Swift Targeted by AI
Aquifer Motion Uses AI to Allow Characters to Engage With Fans
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Advanced artificial intelligence programs from companies like Aquifer Motion are allowing fictional characters to engage directly with their fans, ushering in a new type of licensing. TLL first covered Aquifer Motion in October last year when the company signed a deal with licensor Cloudco Entertainment to create personalized messages for … [Read more...] about Aquifer Motion Uses AI to Allow Characters to Engage With Fans
CBC News Investigation Alleges Artificial Intelligence Violated Author’s Copyright
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief (Disclosure: The writer of this article was formerly a member of the Investigative Unit at CBC News, ending in 2008) An investigation by CBC News says the work of Canadian authors were shared online as part of a dataset used for training artificial intelligence software. The Canadian broadcaster found that at least 2,500 copyrighted books … [Read more...] about CBC News Investigation Alleges Artificial Intelligence Violated Author’s Copyright
A Goodbye Kiss Heralds the Arrival of Kiss Virtual Avatars
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The venerable glam rock band Kiss has played their final concert, but announced the band will live on indefinitely as digitized avatars. The quartet that rose from New York City decades ago returned home to play their final live concerts over the weekend at Madison Square Garden, capping a half-century of rocking all night and … [Read more...] about A Goodbye Kiss Heralds the Arrival of Kiss Virtual Avatars
Two Major Advances in Generative Music AI Announced by YouTube and Grimes
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Artificial intelligence is turning the licensing world on its head, and this week saw major announcements from YouTube and the artist Grimes. The Google-owned YouTube streaming service has licensed the voices of John Legend and Sia for AI-created soundtracks, while Grimes' company Create Safe is creating a new tool for publishing and … [Read more...] about Two Major Advances in Generative Music AI Announced by YouTube and Grimes