Intellectual property rights

Japan reviews legal protection for AI voice imitation

Japan’s Justice Ministry has prepared a draft report on civil liability for the unauthorised use of people’s voices and images through generative AI.

The draft focuses on the protection of famous individuals, including celebrities, singers and voice actors, as AI tools make it easier to imitate real voices and appearances.

It was submitted to an expert committee on 13 July, with a final report expected as early as August.

The ministry said the report could serve as a reference in lawsuits and AI development, as Japanese courts have not yet issued clear rulings on rights related specifically to voice imitation.

One scenario examined in the draft involves AI-generated audio that could mislead the public into believing a voice actor had read obscene material online for profit.

The draft says such use could be illegal if it harms a person’s dignity, honour or peace of mind beyond a tolerable limit.

It also outlines criteria for assessing whether an AI-generated voice is similar to that of a famous person and whether it may infringe publicity rights.

At the same time, the draft suggests that parody, impersonation and artistic mimicry would generally not infringe publicity rights when they are presented as expressive acts based on resemblance.

The review comes amid growing concern in Japan over AI covers and the unauthorised use of singers’ and voice actors’ voices in synthetic performances.

Why does it matter?

Japan’s draft report shows how generative AI is forcing legal systems to revisit personality, publicity and dignity protections. Voice imitation is especially sensitive because it can affect reputation, commercial value and personal autonomy even when no copyrighted recording is copied. The Japanese approach could influence how courts and AI developers assess consent, similarity, commercial use and harm in cases involving synthetic voices, AI covers and celebrity likenesses.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our chatbot!

Music industry introduces labels for AI-generated songs

Major music industry organisations have announced a voluntary labelling system to help listeners understand when AI has been used in songs.

Groups including the RIAA, IFPI, the Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA, IMPALA, WIN, A2IM and the Human Artistry Campaign back the initiative.

The labels will distinguish between ‘AI-generated’ and ‘AI-assisted’ music.

An ‘AI-generated’ label will apply when most or nearly all of the creative elements in a recording are artificial, such as an AI-generated lead vocal, instrumental performance or a song created from a prompt.

An ‘AI-assisted’ label will apply when humans mainly create a track but use AI for some expressive elements.

Industry leaders said the aim is to give fans clearer information about how music is made, while protecting human creativity, authorship and artistic intent.

The move comes as streaming platforms face rising volumes of AI-made content and low-quality uploads.

Deezer said in April that AI-generated tracks accounted for 44% of all new music uploaded to its platform each day.

Spotify also removed around 75 million spam tracks in 2025, as platforms increase efforts to identify low-quality, fraudulent or unauthorised content.

Why does it matter?

The labelling initiative shows how the music industry is trying to build transparency around AI use without waiting for formal regulation. Clear labels could help listeners distinguish fully synthetic music from human-led work that uses AI as a tool. They may also support copyright, attribution and platform-governance efforts as streaming services face growing volumes of AI-generated tracks, recycled content and spam uploads.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our chatbot!

X expands creator tools to reduce AI slop and recycled content

X has introduced new video editing and recording tools to encourage users to create original content directly on the platform.

The update includes multilingual caption overlays, customisable subtitles, trimming tools, and green-screen features that let creators to combine videos with photos from their devices or existing X posts.

X head of product Nikita Bier said the company wants to make it easier for users to create videos natively rather than relying on content first published elsewhere.

The update comes as X faces growing pressure over recycled posts, stolen videos and low-quality content that can be amplified through engagement and monetisation systems.

Bier said many high-performing accounts continue to repost videos that went viral years earlier, reducing incentives for original creators to publish directly on X.

Video now accounts for almost half of all impressions on the platform, making content quality and attribution increasingly important for X’s creator strategy.

The company has also taken steps to reduce rewards for accounts that reupload material from smaller creators to game its revenue-sharing programme.

The new tools are therefore part of a wider push to make original video creation easier while discouraging recycled and unattributed content.

Why does it matter?

X’s update shows how platform design and creator incentives are becoming part of the response to low-quality, recycled and synthetic content. Native editing tools can help users produce original material, but the harder governance problem is attribution and monetisation. As AI makes it cheaper to generate or repackage text, images and video at scale, platforms will need stronger systems to distinguish original human creativity, authorised reuse and automated content farming.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

EPO reports record patent demand as AI and digital services boost innovation

The European Patent Office (EPO) has published its Annual Review 2025, revealing that European patent applications exceeded 200,000 for the first time in the organisation’s history.

The milestone reflects growing confidence in the European patent system, supported by continued investment in digital transformation, AI and more efficient patent examination processes under the Strategic Plan 2028.

The Office processed a record 418,868 patent dossiers during 2025, increasing productivity by 4% while maintaining high quality standards and improving the speed of patent searches, grants and opposition proceedings.

User satisfaction also remained high following the EPO’s largest-ever satisfaction survey, involving more than 8,000 participants. Innovation activity continued to grow across strategic sectors including digital technologies, healthcare, advanced materials and battery technologies.

AI played an increasingly important role throughout the patent granting process. The EPO expanded AI-powered tools for patent examiners, including a large language model-based enhancement to its PreSearch system, designed to improve prior art discovery while ensuring examiners retain full control over decision-making.

Additional AI-supported capabilities now assist with document analysis, advanced searches, file allocation and oral proceedings. At the same time, MyEPO continued evolving as the organisation’s central digital platform, while Online Filing 2.0 became the standard filing tool ahead of broader DOCX filing deployment.

The report also highlights the growing success of the Unitary Patent system, with SMEs, universities and public research organisations accounting for nearly half of all Unitary Patents granted to European innovators.

Alongside new innovation intelligence tools such as the Patent Standards Explorer, Digital Library and expanded Deep Tech Finder, the EPO says it is strengthening Europe’s innovation ecosystem through greater transparency, digital services and data-driven patent intelligence.

Why does it matter?

The Annual Review demonstrates how AI is becoming embedded within one of Europe’s most important innovation institutions. Rather than replacing patent examiners, AI is being deployed to improve search quality, accelerate administrative processes and strengthen decision-making while maintaining human oversight.

It also illustrates Europe’s broader strategy of combining AI adoption with digital public services, intellectual property protection and innovation policy.

Record patent demand, expanding use of the Unitary Patent and new digital tools suggest the EPO is positioning itself as a key pillar of Europe’s competitiveness in emerging technologies, particularly as global competition intensifies in AI, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and deep tech.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Australian audit highlights governance gaps in public-sector AI

The Australian National Audit Office has found that IP Australia’s use of AI in the patent rights process is largely effective, while calling for stronger cybersecurity governance, monitoring and strategic oversight.

Auditor-General Report No. 43 of 2025–26 examined whether IP Australia has effective arrangements to support AI adoption in the patent rights process. IP Australia administers intellectual property rights, including patents, trade marks, design rights and plant breeders’ rights.

The agency deployed its first AI tool for patent examination in 2018 and now uses four AI tools in the process. The tools are designed to provide examiners with information to support better decisions, rather than to decide patent applications themselves.

The ANAO said IP Australia has been an early adopter of AI and has progressively improved its governance arrangements. The agency has introduced an AI governance policy, risk-scaled assessment mechanisms and clearer enterprise accountability roles.

However, the audit found that strategic oversight of AI implementation and related benefits is not yet fully established. It said IP Australia’s AI inventory, committee roles and use-case ownership remain works in progress.

Monitoring and reporting were assessed as only partly effective. The ANAO said benefits have been inconsistently defined and measured, making it harder to demonstrate the ongoing effectiveness of AI tools and manage emerging risks.

The ANAO made two recommendations, urging IP Australia to review cybersecurity governance controls for AI and establish clearer risk-based monitoring and reporting arrangements. IP Australia agreed to both recommendations.

The audit said public-sector agencies should regularly reassess AI governance frameworks as they move from experimentation to wider use.

Why does it matter?

The audit shows how AI is moving from experimentation into routine public-sector decision support. IP Australia’s experience points to the benefits of AI in improving efficiency and quality, but also shows that governance must evolve as tools become embedded in official processes. Cybersecurity, accountability, monitoring and measurable benefits are becoming central to responsible AI use in government.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Cate Blanchett unveils AI consent tool at European Parliament

Actor and producer Cate Blanchett has launched the Human Consent Registry, a free online tool that allows individuals to specify how AI systems may use their identity. Presented at the European Parliament, the registry enables users to permit or prohibit the use of their name, image, voice, likeness and movements by AI systems, either unconditionally or subject to specific terms.

The platform is available to individuals as well as representatives, such as agents and managers. Its developers say it will eventually expand to cover works of art, fictional characters and brands. It was developed by RSL Media, a nonprofit co-founded by Blanchett that focuses on building consent tools related to AI use, which launched in May to wide support from figures across the entertainment industry.

Blanchett has been a prominent advocate for stronger safeguards against unauthorised AI use. In March 2025, she joined more than 400 artists in signing an open letter urging the US administration to maintain copyright protections and reject proposals that would allow AI developers to train models on copyrighted works without permission or compensation.

The launch comes amid growing concern among artists over the unauthorised use of creative works and personal likenesses for AI training. Singer SZA recently said more than 200 of her songs had been used to train AI systems, while actor Matthew McConaughey has trademarked his image, voice and a well-known catchphrase.

The Human Consent Registry positions itself as a scalable and accessible alternative to such individual legal measures, offering a standardised mechanism that does not require significant resources to deploy. The tool is free to use and designed to be available to anyone, not only those with the means to pursue trademark or copyright protections independently.

The registry was launched during an event at the European Parliament hosted by Bulgarian MEP Eva Maydell of the European People’s Party. Director Steven Soderbergh also attended the event in Brussels.

Why does it matter?

The Human Consent Registry highlights a growing gap between existing intellectual property laws and the capabilities of generative AI. While copyright and trademark protections offer some legal remedies, they often do not provide individuals with a simple way to express or enforce consent over the use of their identity, voice or likeness by AI systems.

The initiative also reflects a broader shift towards consent-based AI governance. By launching the registry at the European Parliament, its creators are seeking to influence ongoing debates on AI regulation, copyright and personality rights, while promoting practical mechanisms that could complement future legal frameworks for the responsible use of AI-generated content.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot! 

Ireland expands Trusted Flagger network under the DSA

Ireland’s media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, has granted Trusted Flagger status to three additional organisations under the EU Digital Services Act.

The Irish Internet Hotline, the Irish Music Rights Organisation and the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland will join the Central Bank of Ireland, which received Trusted Flagger status in 2025.

Each organisation will submit notices to online platforms within its area of expertise. The Irish Internet Hotline will report child sexual abuse material, non-consensual intimate image sharing, racism, xenophobia, financial scams and fraud. The Irish Music Rights Organisation will focus on copyright infringement, particularly music and lyrical copyright, while the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland will report illegal antisemitic material.

Under the Digital Services Act, Trusted Flaggers are recognised bodies that can notify platforms of illegal content. Platforms must give those notices priority and decide on them without undue delay, although the designation does not guarantee content removal.

Coimisiún na Meán said reports from Trusted Flaggers will also help identify online safety trends and support evidence-based supervision of online platforms.

To qualify, organisations must demonstrate expertise in detecting, identifying and notifying illegal content, operate independently from online platforms and carry out reporting activities diligently, accurately and objectively.

The three new accreditations will remain valid for 3 years and can be reviewed, revoked, or reassessed upon expiration of the accreditation period.

Why does it matter?

Trusted Flaggers are one of the practical enforcement mechanisms of the Digital Services Act. Ireland’s expansion of the network creates specialised reporting channels for different categories of illegal online content, including child sexual abuse material, non-consensual intimate images, scams, copyright infringement and antisemitic material. The model aims to improve the quality and speed of platform responses while keeping final moderation decisions with platforms under DSA procedures.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

China advances tougher trademark protections targeting misleading practices

China is moving to strengthen trademark rules through a draft revision to the Trademark Law aimed at tackling misleading practices, bad-faith registrations and trademark hoarding.

According to China Daily, the draft revision is scheduled for further review by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The proposed changes would introduce stricter standards and procedures for trademark registration and use.

The draft would allow authorities to reject trademark applications filed without an intention to use the mark or beyond normal business needs. Violations that cause adverse effects could lead to warnings and fines of up to 100,000 yuan.

The proposal also targets deceptive trademarks that may mislead the public about a product’s quality or place of origin. If a registered trademark is used misleadingly, authorities could order corrective action, impose fines and revoke the trademark if violations are not corrected.

The draft would also strengthen oversight of trademark agencies and regulate trademark use in cyberspace. It includes measures to better protect the rights and interests of Chinese companies expanding overseas.

China is also developing a unified trademark registration and application platform to make trademark searches and related services easier for the public.

Why does it matter?

The draft revision reflects China’s effort to adapt trademark enforcement to online commerce and more complex brand practices. Stricter rules against deceptive trademarks, hoarding and bad-faith registrations could improve consumer trust and give businesses clearer protection in both domestic and cross-border markets. The cyberspace provisions are particularly relevant as trademark misuse increasingly occurs through online platforms, digital marketplaces and information networks.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our chatbot!

Cloudflare and beehiiv add AI crawler controls for newsletter publishers

Cloudflare and beehiiv have added AI crawler controls to the beehiiv newsletter platform, giving publishers more visibility over how AI bots access their content.

The integration embeds Cloudflare’s AI Crawl Control technology into beehiiv, allowing newsletter operators to monitor AI crawler activity and decide whether to allow or block access to their work.

The companies said the tool is designed for creators choosing between two strategies: increasing discovery through AI search engines and agents, or protecting content archives for future monetisation and licensing opportunities.

The new dashboard will show which AI crawlers attempt to access a publisher’s content, which are blocked, and how much referral traffic those crawlers send back to the newsletter.

AI Crawl Control will be available to all beehiiv users in beta. beehiiv Max customers will also be able to block AI crawlers and set permissions for how their content is accessed across the AI ecosystem.

Cloudflare and beehiiv said the integration eliminates the need for publishers to manually manage technical settings, such as robots.txt files and firewall rules. The system is also expected to update as new AI crawlers emerge.

Why does it matter?

The partnership shows how AI content access is becoming a practical governance issue for smaller publishers, not only large media companies. As AI search engines and agents change how online content is discovered and reused, creators need tools to see who is crawling their work, what traffic is returned, and whether access supports or undermines their business model. The integration also reflects a broader shift towards permission-based content access in the AI era.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Beijing publishing forum calls for AI copyright standards

Publishing leaders and professionals have called for clearer copyright rules and industry standards for the use of AI in publishing, following discussions at the 2026 International Publishing Forum in Beijing.

The forum, held during the Beijing International Book Fair, brought together nearly 300 publishing executives and professionals from 26 countries and regions. It was jointly organised by the Publishers Association of China and the International Publishers Association.

Participants discussed how AI is reshaping publishing workflows, content production and distribution. They said AI should support, rather than replace, human creativity, with human-machine collaboration helping publishers improve efficiency and expand access to high-quality content.

Speakers also warned that the industry must protect intellectual property, preserve the authenticity and credibility of content, and support linguistic diversity as AI-generated material becomes more widely used.

Participants called for international cooperation on standards and copyright frameworks for AI applications in publishing. They said such rules should define rights and responsibilities, support fair compensation and ensure source traceability.

The discussions reflect growing concern in the publishing sector over how AI systems use copyrighted works, how original creators are recognised, and how publishers can maintain trust in content as synthetic media and automated production tools spread.

Why does it matter?

The forum highlights a central concern for creative industries: AI can improve publishing workflows and content distribution, but it also raises unresolved questions about copyright, attribution, compensation and authenticity. For publishers and authors, clear standards on source traceability and rights could become essential as AI-generated or AI-assisted content becomes more common.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot! 

Diplo chatbot can make mistakes. Consider checking important information.