In a significant move for creatives, a federal judge in New York has decided that a lawsuit filed by two voice-over artists, Paul Skye Lehrman and Linnea Sage, against the AI company Lovo Inc. can advance. The artists accused Lovo of misappropriating their voices without consent for use in AI applications. While the judge dismissed claims related to federal copyright infringement, other allegations, including breach of contract and deceptive business practices, will move to trial.
This lawsuit is part of a growing trend where artists are fighting back against AI companies that they believe are taking advantage of their work. Lehrman and Sage’s attorney, Steve Cohen, hailed the judge's decision as a win for artists, highlighting the need for accountability in the tech industry.
The couple discovered that their voices, which Lovo had initially promised would only be used for internal testing, were being utilized in AI-generated outputs — a revelation that left them shocked when they heard “their clones” in a podcast episode. According to reports, Lovo previously offered them money for voice work on platforms like Fiverr, assuring that their audio would remain confidential.
Their case will now be heard in the US District Court in Manhattan, with the couple hoping for justice as artists face increasing challenges in the era of artificial intelligence.
This lawsuit is part of a growing trend where artists are fighting back against AI companies that they believe are taking advantage of their work. Lehrman and Sage’s attorney, Steve Cohen, hailed the judge's decision as a win for artists, highlighting the need for accountability in the tech industry.
The couple discovered that their voices, which Lovo had initially promised would only be used for internal testing, were being utilized in AI-generated outputs — a revelation that left them shocked when they heard “their clones” in a podcast episode. According to reports, Lovo previously offered them money for voice work on platforms like Fiverr, assuring that their audio would remain confidential.
Their case will now be heard in the US District Court in Manhattan, with the couple hoping for justice as artists face increasing challenges in the era of artificial intelligence.
