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Ashley Cloud

8 mins read

Fake Drake: Exploring the Legal Risks of Using AI to Create Music

Every day, we are discovering the mind-blowing power of creating content using artificial intelligence (AI). Though exciting to many, there are risks associated with what we create and how we go about doing so using this groundbreaking technology. It is well-known that the law has often lagged behind the development of technology.

In many instances, we have to look to laws drafted decades before much of the technology we use today was created. Thus, the use of AI has spawned many unprecedented legal questions that we just don’t have clear answers to right now.

For example, last week, a creator by the name of Ghostwriter977 (Ghostwriter), set the internet ablaze when they released an allegedly AI-generated song entitled, “Heart on my Sleeve.” The song features vocals that sounded extremely similar to that of Toronto-born superstars, Drake and The Weeknd.

The song was released on many major streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, SoundCloud, Tidal, and TikTok. The song reached over 15 million plays before it was taken down in response to complaints from the artists’ publishing company, Universal Music Group (UMG). 

Copyright

UMG argued the song was in violation of copyright law, however, it is unclear if this is actually true. Copyright ownership allows you the exclusive right to use and profit from creative works such as art, books, and music.

The United States Copyright Office only allows a copyright to attach to a creative work if there is human authorship. In this case, there is an argument that the content was generated by artificial intelligence, not by a human.

However, the question remains whether a compilation of the artists’ music was used to generate the sound-alike voices in the song, which may allow copyright ownership to attach.

Additionally, though the end product, the song recording itself, may have been generated by artificial intelligence, it was still prompted and potentially written by a human. And in that case, the lyrics of the song themselves, if originally developed by Ghostwriter, may actually belong to them.

There are some defenses to copyright infringement, such as fair use, which permits the unauthorized use of copyrighted material for the purpose of criticism, comment, news reporting, education, scholarship, or research. Ultimately, copyright issues of this novel nature are very subjective and would be determined in court. 

Name, Image, and Likeness 

The argument could be made that Ghostwriter violated the right of publicity of Drake and The Weeknd by creating a song featuring voices that sound like theirs without their permission. The right of publicity grants you a right to profit from your name, image, and likeness, including your voice.

However, there is a clear distinction between using a person’s actual voice versus a voice that only sounds like the person’s voice. The First Amendment allows one to imitate the sound of another even when they specifically intend to do so – think cover artists.

However, there may be an exception to this rule when the imitation is connected with the intent to sell a product. See Midler v. Ford, 849 F.2d 460, 463 (9th Cir. 1988).

If so, there may be a showing of a violation of a right of that person’s publicity. In Midler, the Ford Motor Company used a Bette Midler sound-alike to sing one of her songs to sell cars. In the case of “Heart on my Sleeve,” it is not clear if anything was actually sold in connection with the song.

We’d also have to know how much the Ghostwriter tried to connect the song to Drake and The Weeknd and whether Ghostwriter received or attempted to receive any compensation in exchange for the song via the streaming platforms. Without more information, it is difficult to say there is a publicity right violation in this instance. 

Consumer Protection 

Although a less sexy topic, “Heart on my Sleeve” may also violate consumer protection laws. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state governments enforce laws that protect the public from deceptive or unfair business practices.

One may argue that the Ghostwriter used deceptive or unfair business practices to stream and popularize a song that misled consumers by using vocals that mimic Drake and The Weeknd.

We would likely have to determine the lengths the Ghostwriter took to connect the song to the artists; like if the artists were listed in the credits and if their imagery was used in the cover art on streaming platforms. The developer of the underlying AI technology that facilitated the creation of the song could also be liable under consumer protection laws.

The FTC may come after you if you make, sell, or use a tool that is effectively designed to deceive – even if that’s not its intended or sole purpose. The FTC warns developers of AI technology to consider how their products could be used to deceive consumers and mitigate the risks where possible.

However, this may be a stretch since it does not appear that consumers were actually led to consume anything other than listening and sharing the song.

As you can see, the law is not very clear when it comes to the issue of using AI-generated content that mimics a real person. These types of analyses are extremely fact-specific and require a full investigation to determine what laws are implicated, what types of damages should be attached, and ultimately who should be held liable.

There have been many lawsuits filed to address some of these unclear issues and we will be sure to update you when we have more answers. 

— Contributed by Ashley Cloud

Ashley Cloud is the founder of The Cloud Law Firm, servicing creative entrepreneurs in all 50 states. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok for more information.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.  Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.  This website contains links to other third-party websites.  Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; Ashley N. Cloud and The Cloud Law Firm PLLC do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
14 mins read

Fashion Law, Brand Partnerships & Protecting Your Work From Copycats

The internet age has exacerbated many of the legal issues that creators and fashion companies encounter, fueling the necessity for specific legal advice and protection.

For example, design piracy and copycat litigation have grown in recent years, prompting new legislation that provides legal protection for fashion designs.

We decided to get in touch with a legal expert to shed light on these issues and others facing those involved in the creator economy.

Ashley N. Cloud, Esq., MBA is the Founder and Principal Attorney of The Cloud Law Firm, PLLC based in Brooklyn, New York.

fashion law
Ashley N. Cloud, Esq., MBA

What inspired you to become a lawyer?

My mother was the first person to suggest I become a lawyer. My mom was super strict, so I was always advocating for myself to hang out with my friends on the weekends for longer than 2 hours at a time. We would have full-on debates and I’d write her letters with carefully crafted arguments. I was relentless.

Although I was very convincing, most of the time, my mom’s answer was usually still “no,” but she figured I would be able to help others with my talents. Once my mom gave me the idea of being a lawyer, it just made sense. I’ve never been one to accept the status quo. I’ve always been quick to point out unfairness and injustices and I never shy away from the opportunity to help those in need.

Black women only make up 2% of the legal profession. The road has not been easy, but it has been more than worth it. Representation matters and I know the work that I do greatly impacts my community. It brings me so much joy to be a voice for the voiceless and to empower and educate people who look like me.

I am so thankful and honored to do this work. I have so many ideas of how I can continue to be a positive force in this world and I am just getting started!

What should creators include in brand partnership agreements?

Usually, creators are presented with brand partnership agreements, so there are a few clauses they should always be on the lookout for. They include but are not limited to Compensation, Deliverables, Exclusivity, Termination, and Disclosures.

Compensation is important for obvious reasons – you want to make sure you are aware of what you will be paid, any conditions associated with payment, and when you should expect your payment. With respect to deliverables, you want to make sure you understand what the brand expects to see from you and make sure what you create is aligned with their requirements. There will likely be an approval process that you will want to make sure you are compliant with as well.

Oftentimes, brands will require you to work with them exclusively for their respective industry. For example, if you work with one shoe company, you may be restricted from working with other shoe companies during the term of your agreement. Pay attention to the length of the agreement and under what conditions you or the brand may terminate the agreement; including any morality clauses.

If you are a content creator, you’ll also want to pay attention to any disclosure requirements, as the Federal Trade Commission requires you to disclose your relationship with any brands you promote. You can check out some helpful guidance on the FTC’s guidelines here.

Kim Kardashian was recently ordered to pay over $1 million for violating the FTC’s rules, so you’re going to want to pay attention to this!

In any case, you will want to read your contract, ask questions if you don’t understand something, and remember to know your worth! Advocate for what you want if you are unhappy with the terms of your agreement.

If you are unsure if the partnership is right for you or if you still don’t understand the implications of the terms of your agreement, I suggest you reach out to an attorney you trust to assist you.

What are some common misconceptions in fashion law?

One of the biggest misconceptions about fashion law is that it’s all about intellectual property. Sure, intellectual property is one exciting facet of fashion law, but there is so much more to fashion law than just intellectual property.

Fashion is a multi-billion-dollar industry. It can be glamorous, but like any other industry, fashion is a business. Aside from intellectual property, fashion law includes, business law, contract law, labor and employment law, real estate law, international law, e-commerce law, privacy law, supply chain law, technology law, consumer protection law, environmental law, and so much more! The law really touches every aspect of a fashion business.

As the creator economy grows, what types of legal matters do you foresee arising?

There are more and more creators entering the marketplace now that the barrier to entry is lower and consumers are more accessible. The major legal matter I can see growing in popularity is the world of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), blockchain, and the Metaverse.

Because the law hasn’t quite caught up with this facet of fintech and intellectual property, I am interested to see what types of precedents are established to help further guide creators and attorneys in this space.

What are some recent lawsuits in the fashion world that you find interesting? That designers can learn from?

Recently, Skechers USA Inc. filed a lawsuit against Hermès International and Hermès of Paris, Inc. for patent infringement in relation to its Massage Fit sole technology. This case excited me because it is the perfect example of properly policing and enforcing your intellectual property rights.

Skechers has gone after brands for a similar infringement. With the popularity of the thicker, chunky shoe sole emerging in recent years, it will be up to the courts to decide if Hermès infringed on Skechers’ patents or if the company is simply hopping on a popular trend not originated by Skechers.

fashion law
CREDIT: UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

Another case that stands out and is not fashion-related but falls more within the realm of entertainment, is the lawsuit recently lodged by, Goldenvoice, the company responsible for the popular U.S. music festival, Coachella, against Afrochella, a popular Ghanaian music festival. Allegedly, Afrochella has infringed on Coachella’s trademark and goodwill in the promotion of Afrochella.

There are arguments on both sides on whether Afrochella should be held liable for infringing on Coachella’s trademark. One argument is that Afrochella specifically identified its own festival as being inspired by Coachella, which some say creates an unauthorized affiliation between the brands.

Another argument is that Afrochella is only held in Ghana and should be permitted to use its name since the company does not currently host its festival in the United States. I am interested to see how the courts decide this case or if the brands will be able to come to an amicable settlement.

How can smaller designers protect their work from being copied?

Formal intellectual property protections of fashion designs (i.e. the shape, style, or cut of a garment) are virtually unprotected. However, there are a few ways you can protect certain aspects of your work as a fashion designer. One way is that you can protect an original print, pattern, or sculptural adornment that is included on a garment through copyright protection. You can also protect certain types of creations through a design or utility patent.

Additionally, you should protect your brand through trademark and trade dress protection. Another way of protecting your designs is through the contracts you draft and sign in partnership with others. For example, you can require the manufacturer of your designs to sign a non-disclosure and non-compete agreement so they don’t disclose your design to another brand or try to replicate your design by creating a knock-off of their own. If they do, you may be able to recover damages for violating your contract and the sales associated with doing so.

I also suggest designers use the power of their communities to fill in the gaps where the law falls short. When you see another designer or brand copy your design, let it be known via social media. It’s a lot less expensive and you may be able to resolve the dispute a lot quicker than suing in court.

by Ashley Cloud Esq.

Follow Ashley at @cloudesq  and @thecloudlawfirm, @cloudesq and @yourfashionattorney for updates.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.  Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.  This website contains links to other third-party websites.  Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; Ashley N. Cloud and The Cloud Law Firm PLLC do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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