Japan court rules human voice is protected in TikTok AI case
A Tokyo court affirmed that the unauthorized use of a performer's voice by AI technologies, as challenged by renowned actor Kenjiro Tsuda against TikTok, constitutes an infringement of publicity rights, despite not ordering the removal of the contested videos.
- World
- AFP
- Published Date: 09:24 AM 30 September 2026
- Updated Date: 09:26 AM 30 September 2026
The decision marks a partial victory for Kenjiro Tsuda, known for his starring roles in mega-franchises including "Jujutsu Kaisen" and "Yu-Gi-Oh!", although the court dismissed his request for removal of the videos.
"The unauthorized use of a performer's voice... can be considered an infringement on publicity rights," said judge Aya Takahashi.
AI imitation is a growing concern among performers worldwide, and the threat has roiled Japan's storied animation industry, whose voice actors are sometimes worshipped as much as their characters by fans.
The lawsuit is believed to be the country's first seeking to defend an individual's vocal identity against AI-generated copies.