TikTok videos featuring AI generated voiceovers have become a significant, though often ignored, issue in the past couple of years. In Japan, there have been numerous cases of famous anime seiyuu\u2019s voices being used without permission to feed into machine learning models and produce character-based content for profit. However, there still isn\u2019t any legal framework that protects their voices from misuse and infringement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recently, the Japanese government entered discussions about more explicitly protecting voices under publicity rights. As reported by TV Asahi News<\/a>, on July 27, the Ministry of Justice approved the first draft of those guidelines, under which unauthorized AI generated voice copying and online monetization could constitute infringement of publicity rights (in a similar way that using a celebrity\u2019s likeness or name in an ad without permission would).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the wake of the news, Japanese media outlet TBS News Dig<\/a> interviewed voice actress Megumi Ogata, most famous for her role as Shinji in Neon Genesis Evangelion, about the issue. Regarding AI voice generators that mimic the voices of actors and their use in monetized content, Ogata says that it\u2019s a problem she \u201ccannot turn a blind eye to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n