Who Owns an AI-Generated Voice?

As AI technology races forward, the law is playing catch-up. One of the most common questions we hear is: If I use AI to recreate my dad's voice, who owns that voice?

Is it the AI company? Is it the person who uploaded the audio? Or is it the estate of the deceased?

The EchoAgain Stance: You Own It

While laws vary by country and state, EchoAgain takes a firm ethical stance: The voice belongs to the family.

We view our role as a service provider, not a content owner. Think of us like a photo lab. You bring us the film (the audio), and we develop the picture (the voice model). But the picture is yours. We don't own the rights to your family photos just because we printed them.

Protecting Against Misuse

Ownership implies control. Because you own the voice model, you have the right to decide how it is used.

This is crucial for preventing misuse. In the wrong hands, a realistic voice clone could be used for scams or misrepresentation. By ensuring that ownership and access remain strictly with the verified family member, we create a safeguard against these bad actors.

Commercial vs. Personal Use

It is important to distinguish between personal and commercial use.

• Personal Use: Using the voice to read a bedtime story to a grandchild or to hear a comforting message. This is the primary purpose of EchoAgain.
• Commercial Use: Using the voice in a commercial, a movie, or a song.

Our Terms of Service strictly prohibit the unauthorized commercial use of recreated voices. This protects the dignity of the deceased. Their voice should not be used to sell products or promote causes they didn't support.

The Future of Digital Rights

We advocate for stronger legal protections for "post-mortem privacy." We believe that a person's voice and likeness are part of their inherent dignity and should be protected even after death.

Until the laws are fully established, we will continue to enforce the strictest possible standards of ownership and privacy to protect you and your loved ones.