Court Demands Clarification in Precedent-Setting AI Voice Case

The Warsaw District Court has ordered a forensic expert to clarify their opinion regarding an AI-generated voice used by JFC Polska, which allegedly mimics the voice of professional voice-over artist Jarosław Łukomski without consent.

A Legal Precedent in the Making

The Warsaw District Court is presiding over a landmark case involving the unauthorized use of a synthetic voice model. The dispute, which began in January, centers on whether JFC Polska infringed upon the personal rights of voice actor Jarosław Łukomski by creating and utilizing a digital clone of his voice in commercial advertisements.

During the most recent hearing, Judge Sylwia Wit vel Wilk emphasized that while this is a precedent-setting case for Poland, similar disputes have already emerged globally. The court has granted the appointed forensic expert three weeks to supplement their initial report.

Expert Analysis Under Scrutiny

The court found the expert’s initial opinion insufficient for resolving the case. While the expert confirmed the voice used in the ads did not belong to Łukomski, they simultaneously described it as “deceptively similar” to his, despite discrepancies in technical parameters. The judge tasked the expert with determining whether an average listener would identify the synthetic voice as that of Łukomski.

Corporate Defense and Pending Demands

Mirosław Majewski, the president of JFC Polska, testified that his firm was aware the voice was AI-generated but did not realize it belonged to a specific individual. The company claims it ceased using the materials immediately upon receiving a cease-and-desist letter and maintains they were acting in good faith.

Legal counsel for the plaintiff is seeking 50,000 PLN in moral damages, 102,000 PLN for unjust enrichment, and a formal apology. Further proceedings are scheduled for August 21, at which point the court expects the revised expert report to be finalized.