AEON Law reports that a federal judge has issued a significant ruling in a lawsuit concerning the unauthorized use of actors' voices to train an AI voice‑cloning service. The case involves two voice actors who sued AI company Lovo for using their voices without permission to create synthetic voice clones for commercial use. The actors brought claims under the federal Lanham Act and, crucially, under state laws protecting the right of publicity.

The judge dismissed the Lanham Act claim but rejected Lovo’s argument that state law claims are pre‑empted by federal copyright law. He held that the right of publicity protects a person’s identity and persona—an interest distinct from copyright protection. This decision is a victory for creators and performers, affirming that state right‑of‑publicity laws provide a viable legal avenue to combat unauthorized digital replication and commercialization of their voices by AI companies.