Matthew McConaughey Trademarks Himself to Fight AI Misuse
TL;DR
Matthew McConaughey has trademarked his voice and likeness to prevent unauthorized AI-generated fakes, including clips and his famous catchphrase, addressing growing concerns among performers about digital misuse.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Matthew McConaughey is taking a novel legal approach to combat unauthorized artificial-intelligence fakes: trademarking himself. Over the past several months, the “Interstellar” and “Magic Mike” star has had eight trademark applications approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office featuring him staring, smiling and talking. His attorneys said the trademarks are meant to stop AI apps or users from simulating McConaughey’s voice or likeness without permission—an increasingly common concern of performers. The trademarks include a seven-second clip of the Oscar-winner standing on a porch, a three-second clip of him sitting in front of a Christmas tree, and audio of him saying “Alright, alright, alright,” his famous line from the 1993 movie “Dazed and Confused,” according to the approved applications. Full Story