“No Comedic or Creative Value”: George Carlin’s Estate Takes Online AI Version Of Comedy Icon To Court

Over 50 years ago, the late and great George Carlin listed off the seven words you couldn’t say on television. Based on a lawsuit from the iconic comedian’s estate filed in federal court in California today, at least two of those words may apply to the creators of an AI generated special that uses Carlin’s style and voice to a 2024 effect. AKA: “a bastardization of Carlin’s real work,” the copyright infringement complaint says. “Defendants’ AI-generated ‘George Carlin Special’ is not a creative work,” it goes on to exclaim. “It is a piece of computer-generated click-bait which detracts from the value of Carlin’s comedic works and harms his reputation.”

The special, titled “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead,” was uploaded to YouTube on January 9. It claims to be a human-like imitation of Carlin’s style and tackles contemporary topics such as Reality TV, Trump, and AI. However, the lawsuit argues that the special is a “casual theft” of Carlin’s work and uses his name, likeness, and voice without permission.

The AI-generated special has received criticism from Carlin’s daughter, Kelly Carlin. She has stated that her father’s work cannot be replicated by AI and that these products are “clever attempts at trying to recreate a mind.” Carlin’s estate is seeking damages and an injunction against the creators, claiming that the special has “no comedic or creative value” and misrepresents Carlin’s art.

The lawsuit brings attention to the legal implications of deepfake technology and the use of AI to replicate the voices and styles of deceased celebrities. It raises questions about the extent to which AI-generated content is protected by copyright law and whether it infringes upon the rights of the original artists.