NEW
YORK, May 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --
Pollock Cohen LLP has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of
voice-over actors who had their voices cloned, and then sold by a
tech company, all without the actors' knowledge, permission or
compensation. The action against California-based LOVO, Inc. was filed in
federal court in the Southern District of New York. Click for complaint.
The lead plaintiffs, Paul Skye Lehrman and Linnea Sage, both professional actors,
discovered that LOVO had fraudulently used their voices to teach
the AI-driven software how to replicate human-sounding voices. Lovo
then sold Lehrman's and Sage's cloned voices to thousands of
customers for use in commercials, films, presentations, websites
and many other projects – all without permission or
compensation.
The lawsuit alleges violations of an
individual's rights of publicity, deceptive business practices, and
fraud among other claims and seeks to certify a class
of hundreds of voice-over actors.
LOVO claims to have used thousands of actors' voices to train
its AI-voice generator and boasts that it offers 500 different
voices as part of its subscription service. LOVO also claims to
have two million users that have created more than seven million
voiceovers.
"Actors work hard to perfect their craft, making careful choices
about their career," said Lehrman, who is best known for his work
on NBC's New Amsterdam. "LOVO's actions have hijacked our voices,
using them in ways we could neither foresee nor approve."
Sage, who is known for her roles in video games like MARVEL Snap
and commercial work, added, "LOVO has sold our voices to thousands
of customers, and we have absolutely no control over how they use
our voices. I feel violated. They could be selling our voices to
anyone for any reason to be used for any purpose – not just to
competitors but potentially to pornographers or political
extremists. With no idea or control we lose control of our
destinies and our identities."
The complaint also includes a screen-shot of LOVO's website
where it offers customers Genny-generated versions of the voices of
celebrities such former President Barack
Obama, Conan O'Brien and
Elton John. It is unknown at this
time whether the lawful owners of those identities, brands and
voices authorized LOVO to use their names, images or voices.
"The unauthorized use of people's likeness, including their
voices, by big tech is one of the issues that was at the heart of
the recent actor's union strike," said Steve Cohen, a partner at Pollock Cohen LLP,
which is representing Lehrman, Sage, and the proposed class.
"Linnea and Paul are young actors who work hard to make enough to
make ends meet. They are far from the celebrity world and
understandably worry that Lovo's unauthorized use of their voices
might deprive them of future opportunities and income. In the last
few months, similar lawsuits have been filed by The New York Times, John
Grisham, Sarah Silverman and
others against tech giants misusing AI. This lawsuit is the next
chapter in the fight against the misappropriation of people's
talent, creative assets, and hard work."
About Pollock Cohen LLP
Pollock Cohen LLP is an
impact-driven litigation firm that delivers unusually effective
plaintiff-side legal representation. We are known for our ability
to solve client problems—with strategy, creativity, and
thought—both inside the courtroom and outside the four corners of a
legalistic approach. We thrive on representing plaintiffs in cases
that are impactful and meaningful, and where we can make a
difference. For more information,
visit www.pollockcohen.com
Contact:
Steve
Cohen
SCohen@PollockCohen.com
(917) 364-4197
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SOURCE Pollock Cohen LLP