The Town with Matthew Belloni Making Millions on Dead Celebrities in the AI Age
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Dec 18, 2024 Mark Roesler, founder of CMG Worldwide, sheds light on the booming industry of deceased celebrity rights and how AI is reshaping it. He reveals the immense value of these rights, illustrated by recent examples like James Earl Jones' voice in 'Mufasa: The Lion King' and a commercial featuring Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. The discussion dives into the legal complexities and ethical implications of resurrecting famous figures, emphasizing the necessity of permissions and the profound impact of technology on intellectual property.
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James Earl Jones' Voice Rights
- James Earl Jones, before passing, signed over his voice rights, including to a Ukrainian AI company.
- This allowed Disney to recreate his voice as Mufasa in the new Lion King and Darth Vader in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
AI's Impact on Rights Management
- AI is significantly changing intellectual property rights management, similar to how the internet impacted the field in the early 90s.
- The rapid pace of AI development requires constant adaptation in valuing and protecting celebrity rights.
Types of Post-Mortem Rights
- Deceased celebrities primarily retain intellectual property rights, including publicity, copyrights, and trademarks.
- The value of each right depends on the celebrity's career; musicians' copyrights are often most valuable, while actors' publicity rights are key.