Tennessee has recently introduced the “Elvis Act,” a law designed to protect deceased musicians’ publicity rights by targeting AI-generated deepfake performances. The Act has been named after Elvis Presley, the legendary musician from Tennessee, and is aimed at safeguarding the rights of musicians against the unauthorized use of their likeness or voice by artificial intelligence. The technology, while highly innovative, poses a risk to the posthumous rights of musicians, as it can be used to create realistic performances using their voices or images without their consent.
The “Elvis Act” can be seen as a move to ensure that the rights of deceased musicians are respected in the age of advanced technology. It allows the heirs or estates of these artists to control the commercial use of their name, image, and likeness for 75 years after their death. This includes preventing the use of AI to create deepfake performances without permission. While the Act is a step forward in protecting musicians’ rights in the digital era, it also raises questions about how such laws will need to adapt as technology continues to evolve.
