Protecting Your Sound in the Age of AI Cloning

What happens when your voice can be replicated, and sold,without your permission?

Artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever to clone a human voice. From music hooks to podcast narration, AI-generated voices are reshaping the creative and commercial landscape. But for artists, voice actors, musicians, and public figures, this trend raises a serious legal question: Can someone else profit off your vocal likeness?

This is where the right of publicity comes in, a legal concept that protects your name, image, and likeness, including your voice. While this right varies by state and jurisdiction, it’s becoming increasingly relevant as deepfake voice technologies grow more advanced and accessible.

The Legal Gap

Right now, there is no comprehensive federal law that specifically protects against AI-generated voice cloning. That’s why the proposed No Fakes Act is gaining traction. Backed by bipartisan lawmakers, the bill would make it illegal to create or share unauthorized AI-generated replicas of someone’s voice or likeness, especially for commercial gain.

But until legislation like this becomes law, artists and creatives remain vulnerable.

Why This Matters

Imagine your signature ad-lib or spoken word performance used in a commercial you never agreed to. Or your voice delivering lines in a political ad that goes against your beliefs. These aren’t hypotheticals, they’re current risks.

Voice is personal. Voice is brand. And in the entertainment world, voice is property.

How You Can Protect Yourself

• Trademark your vocal brand (if applicable): Think sound marks for distinctive tags or intros.
• Include voice-use clauses in contracts: Explicitly prohibit unauthorized AI training or replication.
• Monitor your likeness online: New tools can flag suspicious uses of your voice or identity.
• Assert your publicity rights: State-based claims can still be powerful, even without federal law.

Closing Thoughts

Technology evolves faster than the law. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait for Congress to catch up. If your voice is part of your creative identity, it deserves protection, both legally and strategically.

Looking to better understand how to navigate these evolving threats to originality and identity? You’ll find more on this topic at, The Creative Docket, a publishing space designed for artists and creators navigating law, rights, and expression.

→ Want to protect your vocal identity or your artist’s voice from AI misuse? Book a Creative Consult today.