The legal action initiated by George Carlin’s estate targets an online media company for creating a one-hour comedy special featuring an AI-generated version of the late comedian. This special, which amassed close to 500,000 views on YouTube, has sparked backlash from Carlin’s supporters and family.
In a court filing from California, Carlin’s estate alleges that Dudesy, in collaboration with comedian Will Sasso, blogger Chad Kultgen, and other contributors, infringed on copyrighted material to produce the controversial comedy special.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of using Carlin’s work without permission or compensation. Carlin’s estate is seeking unspecified damages and the immediate removal of all video and audio versions of the comedy special, which remains accessible on YouTube.
The Dudesy production, with over 496,000 views as of early Friday, features AI-generated dialogue mimicking Carlin’s distinctive style and humor.
The legal action argues that associating Carlin with AI-generated content harms his reputation, enduring influence, and the value of his authentic creations. The defendants are accused of trying to profit from Carlin’s name, reputation, and likeness.
The plaintiffs express concern that young individuals exposed to the AI-generated content may form a distorted perception of Carlin, potentially undermining his true legacy.
The lawsuit emphasizes that Carlin’s genuine work and legacy are misrepresented in “The Dudesy Special.” While acknowledging that Carlin might have addressed similar topics as those in the special if he were alive today, the lawsuit stresses that he would have maintained control over his commentary—a privilege not granted in this unauthorized production.
