The Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act, or ELVIS Act, is an updated version of the state’s right of publicity law. The new legislation includes AI-specific protections.
Tennessee made history on Thursday, becoming the first U.S. state to sign off on legislation to protect musicians from unauthorized artificial intelligence impersonation.
«Tennessee (sic) is the music capital of the world, & we’re leading the nation with historic protections for TN artists & songwriters against emerging AI technology,» Gov. Bill Lee announced on social media.
The Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act, or ELVIS Act, is an updated version of the state’s old right of publicity law. While the old law protected an artist’s name, photograph or likeness, the new legislation includes AI-specific protections.
Once the law takes effect on July 1, people will be prohibited from using AI to mimic an artist’s voice without permission.
Lee signed the bill inside Robert’s Western World, the famed Nashville honky tonk, where he was gathered with country music superstars Chris Janson and Luke Bryan.
