Scarlett Johannson’s Complaints Could Fuel U.S. ‘Right of Publicity’ Law

What a mess OpenAI seems to have created with Scarlett Johansson! One bright note for creators is that her allegations that the startup ripped off her voice after she refused an offer to voice its chatbot could help speed up national legislation that protects artists. 

I spoke to two legal experts today to get a better understanding of the current legal protections for celebrities and creators when it comes to their likenesses and artificial intelligence. A majority of states recognize a concept called the right of publicity—an intellectual property right that protects people against the misappropriation of their name, likeness and other parts of their identity including their voice, for commercial benefit. But it’s not a nationwide law.