The lawsuit between the estate of the late comedian George Carlin and the Dudesy podcast regarding an AI-generated comedy special has been settled amicably. The podcast creators removed the special titled “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead” from YouTube as a result of the legal action initiated in January.
Kelly Carlin, George Carlin’s daughter, expressed satisfaction with the swift resolution of the matter and commended the defendants for promptly taking down the contentious video. She emphasized the importance of recognizing the risks associated with AI technologies and the necessity for safeguards to protect the creative works of artists and the broader population.
In the initial lawsuit filed in January, Carlin’s estate accused Dudesy of unauthorized use of the comedian’s copyrighted material. The special was condemned as a computer-generated production that devalued Carlin’s comedic legacy and reputation, characterizing it as a form of intellectual property theft.
The hosts of the Dudesy podcast, Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen, along with 20 other individuals, were named as defendants in the lawsuit. The settlement was hailed as a positive outcome by the estate’s attorney, Joshua Schiller, who highlighted its significance in setting a precedent for addressing similar disputes involving AI infringement on artists’ rights.
The attorney underscored the escalating concerns surrounding AI technologies, emphasizing the imperative for legal intervention to safeguard against misuse and exploitation. He stressed the necessity for accountability on the part of AI software companies whose technologies may be exploited for unethical purposes.
The AI-generated special purported to mimic George Carlin’s voice, style, and hypothetical commentary on contemporary issues. The lawsuit contended that the production infringed on Carlin’s copyrights and right of publicity by presenting a fabricated comedy show in his likeness posthumously.
