New Bill Introduced to Congress
The two-party bill, aimed at addressing concerns regarding unauthorized Deepfakes, has been reintroduced to the US Congress with backing from the music industry and other creative sectors, now joined by several large tech companies.
A Educate originals, educate art and preserve entertainment in safety (There are no fakes) Act was first represented in the Senate in July 2024 but was unable to advance from the Senate and House Committee due to a dense schedule that included budget negotiations last year.
Key Features of the New Legislation
The new bill has similarities to last year’s version, notably creating The right to advertising at the federal level for the first time—allowing individuals to gain a measure of control over the use of their likeness and voice. The urgency of this issue has increased with the boom in generative artificial intelligence, resulting in deepfakes of both celebrities and private individuals.
The bill is being introduced in both chambers of Congress simultaneously, with the Senate version sponsored by Republican Senators Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Tom Tillis of North Carolina, alongside Democratic Senators Chris Coons of Delaware and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.
The House version is sponsored by Republican Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida and Nathaniel Moran of Texas, together with Democratic Representatives Madeline Dean of Pennsylvania and Becca Balint of Vermont.
The bill aims to reduce potential lawsuits by providing platforms utilizing user-generated content (UGC) immunity, provided they promptly remove unauthorized deepfakes and notify the requester after removal.
It also seeks to uphold First Amendment rights by creating exceptions for news reporting and satire.
Industry Support for the Legislation
Several prominent figures from the music industry have gathered in Washington to express support for the reiteration of this bill, including Robert Kyncl, General Manager of Warner Music Group, who previously testified about the urgent need to address the issue of deepfakes. Country music star Randy Travis has also been included, having used AI to clone his voice for a new song after suffering a stroke that impacted his ability to sing.
Those present at the bill’s reintroduction included Harvey Mason Jr., General Manager of the Recording Academy, Vivienne Lewit, Global Head of Artists at YouTube, and Mitch Glazer, General Manager of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
“This bill proves that we can prioritize the growth of AI and at the same time defend American creativity.”
Mitch Glazer, RIAA
Glazer expressed gratitude to the sponsoring legislators for their “incredible leadership” in managing this legislation, which aims to provide balanced and effective protections for individuals against unauthorized use of their voice and likeness while supporting freedom of speech and reducing the potential for lawsuits.
Commenting on the bill’s reintroduction, Harvey Mason, Jr. stated, “The Academy is proud of what it represents and the service it provides to creators, and for decades, the Grammys have brought musicians to the nation’s capital to address the political issues affecting our industry.
“Today’s re-introduction of the no-fake legislation underscores our members’ commitment to protecting the music community. As we enter a new era of technology, we must create barriers around AI to ensure it enhances—not replaces—human creativity. We appreciate Senators Blackburn and Coons, as well as Representatives Dean and Salazar, for their unwavering support on this issue, and we look forward to working with them to pass the ‘No Fakes’ act in this Congress.”
Several music industry experts have also issued statements in support of the proposed legislation.
“This bill exemplifies what can occur when the tech and creative industries unite—fostering innovation while protecting human identity and artistry. We are eager to collaborate with key members of the US Senate and House to advance this legislation this year,” noted Warner’s Kyncl.
Sony Music expressed pride in supporting the No Fakes Act to promote ethical AI use, giving artists greater control over their identity and creative expression, while also providing significant protection against unauthorized use of their voice and likeness.
Universal Music Group commended the renewed focus on the No Fakes Act, calling it a sign of bipartisan, bicameral legislation aimed at addressing deepfake threats and safeguarding individuals’ ability to control their own image and likeness.
“This legislation provides essential First Amendment protection and takes a crucial step to ensure all Americans can safeguard and control their own identity.”
Universal Music Group
UMG added, “This legislation immediately offers First Amendment protection and takes a critical step for all Americans to protect and control their persona. We are grateful to the bill’s sponsors for their thoughtful leadership on this important issue.”
A number of major tech companies have also rallied behind the No Fakes Act, including Microsoft, Amazon, Google, IBM, and OpenAI.
In a blog post on April 9, Google’s YouTube stated it is working with the RIAA and the Motion Picture Association (MPA) “to achieve a common consensus on this legislation.”
“For nearly two decades, YouTube has been at the forefront of Rights Management on a grand scale, and we understand the importance of collaborating with partners to actively address these issues. Now we apply this expertise and commitment to ensure the responsible deployment of innovative AI tools,” said Leslie Miller, Vice President of YouTube on State Policy.
