New Bill Introduced Protecting Music Industry
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is being thanked by those in the music business for introducing new legislation that protects the image and voice of performers. The bill, which will be introduced in the legislative session that began Tuesday, is called the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security…or…the ELVIS Act.
If passed the bill would be the first of its kind as it seeks to protect singer’s and songwriters from AI…or…Artificial Intelligence. So, why do those in the music world need this sort of protection? According to those in the music industry, AI has become so advanced that it can replicate a performer’s voice, which can be used to make a recording. Those in the industry also point out that AI has become so advanced, it can even write songs, in the style of a certain artist. This could allow someone to cash in on a performer’s talents without the performer either knowing or receiving any profit from it. The ELVIS act would make it unlawful for a person to use AI to replicate a performer’s voice, without their permission. It adds the artist’s voice to existing image and likeness protections in the state of Tennessee.
The legislation is supported by many music business organizations from the Academy Of Country Music, The Country Music Association, The Rhythm and Blues Foundation, and the Christian Music Trade Assoc. to songwriting royalty companies such as ASCAP and BMI. Governor Lee says he hopes his bill will offer a blueprint for other states to follow suit.