I’m dealing with the dodgy department head of an otherwise great large company who took 5-year old internal-use voice samples of mine, recorded for system testing, and repurposed them from last year to sell as a vocaloid-style AI voice package for a voice generation software. I never agreed to it, and they have refused to stop sales or pay me for usage.
They even suddenly wanted me to sign a contract last year, after release of the product, giving them full ownership of my voice – absolutely disgusting. I tried to negotiate but there are a few parties involved so I couldn’t speak to their legal department directly just yet – it would have a very negative effect on some related contracts for another company involved. Stupid stuff, I know.
The department head knows they broke all sorts of laws but won’t budge since they don’t think I’ll get a lawyer or their legal department involved, so I am trying to find a lawer who knows about Japanese copyright laws to scare them into cooperating, especially when it comes to voice media/stealing artists’ vocal work and reselling it. There are no laws in Japan to cover AI stuff yet so no luck there especially.
I am hoping someone could share a recommendation or two – Japanese-only lawyers are fine as I speak Japanese.
Thank you!
by arigatanya