The New Delhi High Court has just ruled in favor of Anil Kapoor, one of the most recognizable figures in Indian cinema.
This decision, which should protect its image across all media, is especially directed against recreations using artificial intelligence. Beyond the important protection it guarantees, this verdict risks becoming a jurisdiction and it would be surprising if many Indian actors did not follow its example. Before inspiring justice elsewhere?
Because the debate over intellectual property in artificial intelligence is almost as old as artificial intelligence itself, and this court decision comes as one of the longest strikes in the history of American authors seems to be coming to an end. its end. It concerns in particular the use of artificial intelligence and Kapoor has also given his support to the latter.
Kapoor’s name, voice and likeness are now protected
The New Delhi High Court’s decision therefore protects Kapoor’s image and all clearly recognizable attributes. In other words, the actor can now sue anyone who uses his image without his authorization, whether for commercial purposes or for ” malicious use », such as deepfakes or even simple GIFs for example. This protection seems quite complete since even its catchphrase« jhakas » is protected.
While it remains to be seen what this judgment will do in practice, it is still historic in more than one way. The simple act of protecting voice is already extremely unusual, as it is normally excluded from copyright or any intellectual protection. But above all, artificial intelligences that have already been trained with its image may well have to go back and “forget” it to avoid costly lawsuits.
Finally, such a decision in a country which has such a powerful cinema industry could, inevitably, give ideas to other actors.
Artists VS AI
Because it intervenes in a broader context in which artists around the world are trying to protect their backs to avoid being replaced by AI. And the best example of this is the strike of the American Authors Guild, which has lasted for five months, resulting in the interruption of numerous series. If we include a better distribution of income among their demands, protection against the use of artificial intelligence also occupies a good place. Demands to which Kapoor has also given his support, and to which the studios could well respond favorably: the guild announced this Monday that it had reached an agreement in principle.
The screenwriters could therefore soon return to work but… this does not mean that American productions will resume: because in their wake, it is the actors who have similar demands for protection against AI. Even if they don’t like it, AI labs may well end up having to respect the intellectual property of those who train their models.
Sources: Mashable, The Guardian
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