Updated
Updated · The Spokesman Review · Jul 2
Amber George Sues Fred’s Appliance Over 14-Year Spokesperson Role and Unauthorized AI Voice Use
Updated
Updated · The Spokesman Review · Jul 2

Amber George Sues Fred’s Appliance Over 14-Year Spokesperson Role and Unauthorized AI Voice Use

1 articles · Updated · The Spokesman Review · Jul 2

Summary

  • Tuesday’s lawsuit says Fred’s Appliance and Victory Media reused Amber George’s past footage and cloned her voice for a President’s Day ad without her consent or added pay, ending a 14-year spokesperson relationship.
  • George says she discovered the ad on social media in February, then rejected a proposed contract addendum that would have allowed future AI use for what she called very little compensation.
  • Victory Media acknowledged AI-assisted voice editing in a limited number of ad updates, mainly for pricing and promotions, but denied creating AI-generated versions of George’s image or likeness.
  • The companies say their spokesperson agreement authorized the edits, that they disclosed known instances and offered compensation, and that they may still resolve the dispute out of court.
  • The case highlights a widening fight over performers’ control of voice and likeness rights as businesses test AI tools in advertising.

Insights

As AI clones voices and faces, are contracts enough to protect a person's digital identity?
Where is the legal line between AI-assisted ad editing and creating an unauthorized digital twin?