French voice actors secure removal of AI-cloned voice models
Twenty-five French voice actors obtained removal of 47 AI-generated voice clone models from the platforms Fish Audio and VoiceDub that reproduced their voices without authorization or payment. Legal proceedings continue as the actors seek damages and a court ruling to set precedent and ban such platforms in France.
What happened
Twenty-five French voice actors obtained removal of 47 generative AI voice models from the American platform Fish Audio that reproduced their voices without consent or compensation.
In early February, eight dubbing actors sent cease-and-desist notices to Fish Audio and VoiceDub, accusing them of developing voice cloning models exploiting their voices without authorization. The number of complainants grew to 25.
Reported impact
The voice actors sought 20,000 euros in damages and compensation from each platform, which have not been satisfied according to their lawyer.
Their lawyer states the dispute is not closed and risks remain that new content violating the actors' rights could be reposted on these platforms.
Index analysis
The lawyer characterized the removals as sending a clear message that foreign companies cannot ignore European and French law.
The actions reflect broader concern in France's creative sector about generative AI. In late February, 4,000 actors, actresses and filmmakers denounced unauthorized voice cloning as becoming widespread, describing the situation as harmful to the creative sector.
Governance controls
A legislative proposal adopted in Senate committee in late February proposes reversing the burden of proof by introducing a presumption that generative models use protected content, unless proven otherwise.
The lawyer indicates he is working with other attorneys on new legal procedures aimed at banning these platforms on French territory.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.