NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee has given his approval to a new law aimed at protecting individuals in the music industry, such as composers and singers, from potential risks posed by artificial intelligence. This groundbreaking decision establishes Tennessee, renowned for its historical significance in country music and artistic heritage, as a trailblazer in the United States for implementing such measures. Advocates argue that the primary objective is to prevent AI technologies from appropriating an artist’s creative content. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1.
Following the enactment of the bill, Governor Lee addressed writers, emphasizing the significance of the music industry in Tennessee by stating, “We employ more people in Tennessee than any other state.” He underscored the importance of recognizing performers’ intellectual property, products, and unique creativity as distinctive and irreplaceable assets that should remain untouched by artificial intelligence.
Tennessee, one of the three states where title, image, and likeness are considered property rights rather than mere rights of publicity, has now expanded this protection to include vocal likeness through the recently passed legislation known as the Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security Act, also referred to as the “ELVIS Act.”
Moreover, this law introduces a novel legal provision holding individuals accountable for disseminating or manipulating an individual’s voice, name, image, or likeness without proper authorization, using technology without consent.
The effectiveness of this policy in safeguarding artists against unauthorized replication and utilization of their work by AI remains uncertain. Despite receiving widespread support from the music industry and unanimous approval from the Tennessee Statehouse, proponents like Governor Lee acknowledge the uncharted territory of this legislation. The bipartisan consensus achieved in passing this law stands out amidst the prevailing political discord between the GOP supermajority and a minority of Democrats.
Numerous musicians in Tennessee express urgency in addressing the issue, noting the imminent threat posed by AI technologies infiltrating their creative spaces and devices. Country star Luke Bryan shared his concerns, highlighting instances where indistinguishable content is generated on his phone, posing a significant challenge that this legislation aims to mitigate.
The signing ceremony for this act took place at Robert’s Western World, a popular honky-tonk venue on Lower Broadway in Nashville, where Governor Lee humorously mentioned occasional undercover visits with his family, amidst anecdotes from fellow politicians recounting their experiences at the iconic establishment.
The legislation, named after the legendary Elvis Presley, seeks to extend protections previously granted to public figures in Tennessee to include vocal likeness. This move aligns with the state’s commitment to preserving the legacies and identities of its prominent personalities, building upon past legal frameworks that have safeguarded their names, images, and likenesses.
The enactment of the Personal Rights Protection Act in 1984 by the Tennessee Senate solidified the notion that individual rights, including character rights, are inheritable and enforceable even after the individual’s demise, ensuring ongoing protection for these valuable assets.
By incorporating vocal likeness into the realm of protected rights, Tennessee continues to uphold the legacy of its cultural icons while adapting to the evolving landscape of intellectual property and technological advancements.
