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.
AI technology is revolutionizing rights management for deceased celebrities, enabling their likeness and voice to be commercially exploited in innovative ways.
The complexity of navigating publicity rights varies by state, impacting how estates protect and profit from deceased stars in an AI-driven era.
Deep dives
The Rise of AI in Celebrity Rights Management
AI technology is transforming the landscape of celebrity rights management, particularly concerning how the likeness and voice of deceased stars are used. Mark Rossler, a prominent figure in this field, explains that with advancements in AI, managing these rights has become increasingly complex and nuanced. The discussion highlights a specific example of James Earl Jones, who agreed to allow his voice to be replicated for projects like 'Obi-Wan Kenobi.' As AI capabilities evolve, they raise significant questions about how celebrity estates can protect their rights, especially in an era where digital recreations are commonplace.
Understanding Rights of Publicity
Rights of publicity refer to the ability of individuals to control how their name, image, and likeness are used after death. This area is particularly state-specific, with various laws in place regulating these rights in different jurisdictions. For instance, Indiana has a 100-year right of publicity, while California's lasts for 70 years post-mortem. Rossler emphasizes that the right of publicity is distinct from copyright and trademark law, providing a broader form of protection that can include not just visual likeness but also aspects like voice and signature.
The Economic Value of Deceased Celebrities
The economic value generated from the rights of deceased celebrities can range significantly, with estates potentially earning from thousands to millions of dollars depending on the usage. Certain high-profile figures like Albert Einstein or Robin Williams command higher fees due to their lasting cultural impact and recognition. Additionally, as seen in examples like posthumous appearances in commercials, the financial opportunities in leveraging AI technology and celebrity likeness are expanding. Estate representatives must navigate complex agreements that involve multiple parties, especially when using footage owned by studios, which raises challenges in the new AI landscape.
Matt is joined by Mark Roesler, founder and chairman of CMG Worldwide, to discuss how AI has added a new twist to how the rights of dead famous people are being exploited. They discuss how incredibly valuable these rights are and how new technology is changing the way name, image, and likeness are being enabled to resurrect dead stars. They highlight a few recent examples, including James Earl Jones in the new ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ film, as well as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. in a commercial for a new brand of gin. Mark explains how these deceased celebrities are protected in the age of AI and who is making the decision to exploit these rights (02:33). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ and ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ (26:20).
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