In a landmark decision, the Beijing Internet Court ruled on Tuesday that a software company violated an individual’s rights by using an AI-powered tool to replicate her voice without consent and selling it to various platforms.
This ruling, the first of its kind in China, sends a clear message to AI enterprises that legal authorization is required before utilizing a person’s voice for large-model trainings and development.
The plaintiff, identified as a voice-over artist named Yin, discovered in May 2023 that her voice was being used in numerous audiobooks online without her permission. Further investigation revealed that an AI-powered tool was employed to replicate her voice and distribute it across different platforms for profit.
Yin alleged that a cultural media company, with whom she had prior business dealings, provided audio recordings of her audiobooks to another software company, which then processed her voice using AI technology and sold it to the operator of the app “Magic Sound Workshop.”
The court held both the cultural media company and the software company liable for compensating Yin for economic losses amounting to 250,000 yuan ($34,507). Additionally, the operator of the app and the software company were ordered to issue a public apology to the plaintiff within seven days of the judgment’s enforcement.
Zhao Ruigang, vice-president of the Beijing Internet Court, emphasized that the case underscores the importance of obtaining legal authorization before utilizing individuals’ voice rights in AI training and development. He urged AI companies to adhere to legal protocols to avoid similar legal consequences.
The court’s ruling highlighted the unique and stable characteristics of a person’s voice, emphasizing that even after AI synthesis, voices can still evoke thoughts or emotions associated with the individual. This recognition reinforces the protection of voice rights under the new Civil Code, which prohibits the unauthorized creation, utilization, or dissemination of someone’s voice.
Li Zonghui, a research fellow at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics specializing in AI rule of law, emphasized the significance of the case in guiding similar AI disputes. He emphasized the need for online platforms to strengthen management and promptly remove infringing content to regulate the AI industry effectively.