Settlement Reached in Dispute Over AI-Generated George Carlin Comedy Special
Legal Battle Comes to an Expedient End with Video Removal
George Carlin’s estate recently reached a settlement with the creators of a comedy special that utilized artificial intelligence (AI) technology to impersonate the late comedian. Pending the approval of a Central District of California judge, the creators of “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead” have agreed to cease sharing the hour-long YouTube video on all platforms. Additionally, they have been permanently barred from using Carlin’s image, voice, or likeness without explicit approval from the comedian’s estate.
Joshua Schiller, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, expressed satisfaction with the speedy resolution: “Our goal was to resolve this case expeditiously and have the offending videos removed from the internet so that we could preserve Mr. Carlin’s legacy and shine a light on the reputational and intellectual property threat caused by this emerging technology. This settlement is a great outcome for our clients and will serve as a blueprint for resolving similar disputes in the future.”
The AI-generated George Carlin comedy special made its way to YouTube in January, promptly receiving criticism from Carlin’s loyal fan base. The creators attributed the special to an AI engine named “Dudesy,” claiming it had analyzed Carlin’s material to replicate his voice, cadence, attitude, and chosen subject matter.
However, many viewers doubted the claim that the special was entirely AI-generated. George Carlin’s estate swiftly responded with a lawsuit on January 25, alleging that the hosts of the podcast, Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen, along with Dudesy LLC and other unnamed parties involved in the project, engaged in “an unlawful appropriation of Carlin’s identity” by exploiting the comedian’s catalogue for AI training purposes. Sasso and Kultgen have yet to comment on the matter.
A contented Kelly Carlin, the late comedian’s daughter, expressed her approval of the swift resolution and the removal of the video. She remarked, “While it is a shame that this happened at all, I hope this case serves as a warning about the dangers posed by AI technologies and the need for appropriate safeguards not just for artists and creatives, but every human on earth.”
