SPB Charan Takes Legal Action Over Unauthorized AI Use of SP Balasubramanian's Voice

  • IndiaGlitz, [Sunday,February 18 2024]

Through a notice, SPB Charan has cautioned a noted music composer for using the voice of his late father, SP Balasubramanian, without taking due permission.

The coming of artificial intelligence (AI) has seen its applications increasing across many areas, film included. It is a growing practice to use AI to replicate the voices of famous singers long ago. Recently, the musical sensation AR Rahman got proper permission to use the voices of two legendary singers through AI.

In this context, the famous Telugu music composer Vivek Sagar is said to have used SPB's voice through AI for a Telugu film. S.P.Balasubramanium's son, SPB Charan, sent a notice to Vivek Sagar after the latter confessed this during an interview. In the notice, SPB Charan appreciated the use of the voice of his father but emphasized that permissions should be obtained.

SPB Charan had also emphasized that permission should be sought to use a talent's voice for commercial purposes and cautioned that using it otherwise would bring the curtains down on the singing profession, which deems it an important asset.

In the notice, SPB Charan has sought an apology for unauthorized use of his father's voice in the notice, as well as appropriate damages and royalties. The response from the music director is eagerly awaited.