Scarlett Johansson has initiated legal proceedings against an AI application that used her name and likeness in an online ad without authorization. The actress made an appearance in a 22-second advertisement shared on X/Twitter by an AI image-generating application called Lisa AI: 90s Yearbook & Avatar.
Taking Legal Actions Against Lisa AI
Johansson is not an official spokesperson for the app, and her attorney, Kevin Yorn, is addressing the situation through legal means. The ad was identified on October 28 and seems to have been removed from the internet.
According to a report from The Verge, the ad commences with vintage footage of Scarlett Johansson in the background while filming Marvel's "Black Widow." Johansson is heard saying, "What's up guys? It's Scarlett, and I invite you to join me..."
The screen then transitions to AI-generated images resembling the actress, with a graphic covering her mouth. An artificial voice, imitating Johansson, takes over and promotes the AI app. "It's not limited to avatars only. You can also create images with texts and even your AI videos. I think you shouldn't miss it," declares a voice resembling Johansson.
The advertisement contains a disclaimer stating that mages produced by Lisa AI has no connection to the individual. Lisa AI, developed by Convert Software, offers multiple applications available for download on both the App Store and Google Play.
Various states, notably California, enforce strict privacy laws that allow individuals to pursue civil claims against unauthorized use of their "name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness" for advertising or promotional purposes.
In cases of famous personalities whose name and likeness are used without permission, Variety reported that legal actions are often resolved with cease and desist demands rather than lengthy court battles.
Other Instances
Tom Hanks, a highly regarded actor with a long and illustrious career in Hollywood, found himself in a situation similar to Scarlett Johansson's regarding the unauthorized use of his name and likeness for promotional purposes. In this case, the incident involved a promotional video for a dental plan that featured an artificial intelligence-generated version of the actor.
Last month, Tom Hanks took to social media, particularly his Instagram story, to address the issue directly with his fans. He issued a warning to his followers, urging them to exercise caution when they came across the promotional video.
Hanks made it unequivocally clear that he had no affiliation with the video and wanted to distance himself from any endorsement or participation in the dental plan's advertising. The incident serves as a reminder that celebrities are not immune to their name and likeness being manipulated without their consent for promotional or advertising purposes.
As a respected figure in the entertainment industry, Hanks demonstrated his commitment to protecting his image and brand by promptly addressing the situation and alerting his audience to the unauthorized use of his identity in the promotional video.
