SAG-AFTRA Applauds the Introduction of the NO FAKES Act

Today, the SAG-AFTRA-supported Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act was officially introduced in the Senate. If passed, the bill — sponsored by Sens. Marsha Blackburn, Chris Coons, Amy Klobuchar and Thom Tillis — would establish a federal right in voice and likeness to protect against unauthorized use of digital replicas in audiovisual works and sound recordings.

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said, “Game over A.I. fraudsters! Enshrining protections against unauthorized digital replicas as a federal intellectual property right will keep us all protected in this brave new world. Especially for performers whose livelihoods depend on their likeness and brand, this step forward is a huge win! Thank you Sens. Blackburn, Coons, Klobuchar and Tillis for defending the rights of humans in the age of A.I.!”

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said, “Without a federal property right over our voices and likenesses, we cannot control what others make us do or say by using A.I. generated digital replicas of us without our consent For an artist, voice and likeness are the foundation of their performance, brand, and identity. Taking that voice and likeness is theft and there must be recourse. Thank you Sen. Blackburn, Coons, Klobuchar and Tillis for spearheading the mission to protect everyone from unauthorized A.I. replicas.”

The NO FAKES Act is supported by the entire entertainment industry landscape, from studios and major record labels to unions and artist advocacy groups. It is a milestone achievement to bring all these groups together for the same urgent goal.

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.