Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey has taken bold action against unauthorized AI likenesses by trademarking himself, in a move that aims to protect his image and voice from being used without permission.
According to recent filings with the US Patent and Trademark Office, eight trademarks have been approved so far, covering video clips featuring the actor's face, audio recordings of him speaking, including his iconic catchphrase "alright, alright, alright" from the movie Dazed and Confused.
McConaughey is taking a proactive stance on AI-related issues, as the laws surrounding the use of someone's likeness for artificial intelligence are still murky. His lawyer acknowledges that the court's decision on such matters would be uncertain, but they're relying on the threat of a lawsuit to deter companies from using McConaughey's image in their AI projects.
The issue is not new to actors, as they have been trying to navigate these issues since the rise of AI technology. Even major unions like SAG-AFTRA have struggled to come to terms with the implications when negotiating with Hollywood studios. In 2023, a labor dispute highlighted the challenges of regulating AI-related usage of likenesses.
McConaughey, however, is not opposed to AI altogether. He has invested in an AI startup and collaborated on an AI-driven newsletter project. His motivation for trademarking himself lies in ensuring that his voice or likeness is used with consent and proper attribution whenever possible. "We want to create a clear perimeter around ownership with consent and attribution the norm in an AI world," he stated.
According to recent filings with the US Patent and Trademark Office, eight trademarks have been approved so far, covering video clips featuring the actor's face, audio recordings of him speaking, including his iconic catchphrase "alright, alright, alright" from the movie Dazed and Confused.
McConaughey is taking a proactive stance on AI-related issues, as the laws surrounding the use of someone's likeness for artificial intelligence are still murky. His lawyer acknowledges that the court's decision on such matters would be uncertain, but they're relying on the threat of a lawsuit to deter companies from using McConaughey's image in their AI projects.
The issue is not new to actors, as they have been trying to navigate these issues since the rise of AI technology. Even major unions like SAG-AFTRA have struggled to come to terms with the implications when negotiating with Hollywood studios. In 2023, a labor dispute highlighted the challenges of regulating AI-related usage of likenesses.
McConaughey, however, is not opposed to AI altogether. He has invested in an AI startup and collaborated on an AI-driven newsletter project. His motivation for trademarking himself lies in ensuring that his voice or likeness is used with consent and proper attribution whenever possible. "We want to create a clear perimeter around ownership with consent and attribution the norm in an AI world," he stated.