Voice Cloning Licensing: Who Can Use AI Voices and Under What Terms

AI voice cloning is increasingly used in commercial settings, bringing legal complexities around voice usage rights to the forefront. The legal framework governing voice cloning focuses on licensing, which defines the consent, scope, duration, and commercial rights associated with the use of AI-generated voices. This licensing is crucial as it ensures that organizations deploying AI voices do so legally and responsibly, avoiding risks such as contractual disputes, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties. Unlike traditional software licenses, voice cloning licenses are tied to the identity of the person whose voice is being cloned, requiring explicit consent and contractual agreements. The legal landscape for voice cloning is influenced by rights such as the right of publicity and personality rights, with licensing requirements varying by region and use case. Companies like Resemble AI emphasize consent-first approaches and provide tools like neural audio watermarking to maintain traceability and compliance in voice cloning applications, reinforcing the importance of clear licensing to sustainably and ethically deploy AI voices in business operations.