Tennessee House Proceeds with ELVIS Act to Shield Musicians from AI Infringements

According to Cointelegraph: In a significant advancement for musician's rights, the Tennessee House Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee unanimously passed the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act – HB 2091. Introduced by Governor Bill Lee in January 2024, the bill aims to protect musicians from unlawful AI applications including unauthorized use of artists’ voices, images, and likenesses. ELVIS represents the music community of Tennessee, home to one of the top three music industry activities in the US, contributing $5.5 billion to Nashville's local economy. With support from State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin and House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, the ELVIS Act holds significant weight for the city's working population. During the subcommittee meeting, testimonials were heard from the singer and actress Chrissy Metz, Nashville Songwriter Association board member Jamie Moore, and RIAA's senior vice president for public policy, Jessie Richard. Commenting on ELVIS, Moore warned against the potential abuse of generative AI technology to counterfeit music, dubbing it as a potential end to the music business. He emphasized the importance of protecting human creativity and setting legal precedents against unauthorized AI-generated recordings. Richard reiterated that this law applies to everyone, ensuring all Tennesseans have their voices and likenesses safeguarded. The subcommittee's endorsement of the bill comes on the heels of similar federal legislation, the No AI Fraud Act, backed by nearly 300 creatives, including the CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr.