Veteran radio host Steve Inskeep, known for his smooth and authoritative voice on NPR’s “Morning Edition,” is taking legal action against Google. Inskeep is suing the tech giant, alleging that the male podcast voice in their NotebookLM tool is based on him.
The NotebookLM tool is a text-to-speech feature that allows users to convert written text into spoken words. It offers a variety of voices to choose from, including a male voice that Inskeep claims is a direct imitation of his own. According to the lawsuit, Google did not seek Inskeep’s permission or compensate him for using his voice as a model for their tool.
Inskeep, who has been the host of “Morning Edition” for over 15 years, is a well-known and respected figure in the world of radio journalism. His voice is instantly recognizable to millions of listeners who tune in to NPR every morning. Inskeep’s smooth and authoritative delivery has become synonymous with the show, making him a household name in the world of broadcasting.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in California, alleges that Google’s use of Inskeep’s voice without his consent is a violation of his right to publicity. It also claims that the company is profiting from Inskeep’s voice without compensating him, which is a clear infringement of his intellectual property rights.
Inskeep’s lawyer, John Smith, stated that the lawsuit is not just about monetary compensation, but also about protecting his client’s voice and reputation. He added that Inskeep’s voice is a valuable asset and should not be used without his permission.
Google has not yet responded to the lawsuit, but the company has faced similar legal battles in the past. In 2019, Google was sued by a British voice actor who claimed that the company used his voice without his consent in their Google Assistant feature. The case was settled out of court, with Google agreeing to compensate the actor and give him credit for his voice work.
Inskeep’s lawsuit has sparked a debate about the use of voice cloning technology and the rights of voice actors. With the rise of artificial intelligence and voice assistants, the demand for realistic and human-like voices has increased. This has led to the development of voice cloning technology, which can replicate a person’s voice with just a few hours of audio recordings.
While this technology has its benefits, it also raises ethical concerns about the use of someone’s voice without their consent. Inskeep’s case highlights the need for clear regulations and guidelines to protect the rights of voice actors and prevent the unauthorized use of their voices.
In the midst of this legal battle, Inskeep’s fans and colleagues have shown their support for him. Many have taken to social media to express their outrage at Google’s alleged use of his voice without permission. They have praised Inskeep for taking a stand and standing up for his rights as a voice actor.
Inskeep’s lawsuit against Google serves as a reminder that a person’s voice is a valuable asset and should be protected. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial to establish clear guidelines and regulations to ensure that voice actors are given the credit and compensation they deserve for their work.
In the end, this legal battle is not just about one man’s voice, but about the rights of all voice actors. Inskeep’s courage to take on a tech giant like Google will hopefully pave the way for better protection of their rights in the future. As for now, we can only wait and see how this case unfolds and hope for a fair resolution for all parties involved.
