Synthetic audio can turn one advertising clearance problem into two: copyright infringement and unauthorized commercial use of a recognizable identity.
The Most Valuable Commodity AI Can’t Generate
Artificial intelligence is multiplying creative output. Authenticity, experience, judgment, and audience trust are what make a creator’s work valuable.
The Advertiser Gave It to Me. Isn’t That Enough?
When advertisers supply ready-made or AI-generated commercials, broadcasters and creators still need to verify copyright permissions and commercial-use rights.
When Your Voice Becomes the Product
For years, Harrison Legal Group has informed media creators about the legal risks of using copyrighted clips, songs, images, and broadcasts without permission. The issue became central enough to inspire my book, Playing the Clip: The Definitive Digital Media Creator’s Guide to Fair Use (TALKERS Books, 2026). The premise was straightforward: modern media runs on […]
Creators, Commentators, or Publishers: Liability Remains the Same
The rise of independent, talk show-style political commentary on YouTube has created a new class of media actors who do not see themselves as broadcasters, journalists, or publishers. They see themselves as creators. That distinction is real in terms of identity, tone, and platform. It is not real where it matters most: liability. The difference […]
You Are the Asset — Why Protecting Your Voice and Likeness Is No Longer Optional
For years, “protect your name and likeness” sounded like lawyer advice in search of a problem. Abstract. Defensive. Something for movie stars, athletes, and people with endorsement deals. That era is over. Today, your voice, your face, your mannerisms, your delivery, and your identity are not just personal attributes. They are usable assets. They can […]
a 20th Century Rulebook officiating a 2026 game
Editor’s Update — August 2026: This article discusses the 2025 federal AI-training decisions in Bartz v. Anthropic and Kadrey v. Meta. The fair-use rulings concerning AI training remain significant, but the separate piracy/library claims in Bartz later produced a major settlement approved in 2026. The distinction remains important: the courts treated the training-use question separately […]
Why Play the Clip Still Matters
Every talk host knows the move: play the clip. It might be a moment from late-night TV, a political ad, or a viral post that sets the table for the segment. It’s how commentary comes alive – listeners hear it, react to it, and stay tuned for your take. That simple act is powered by […]
When Satire Stands it’s Ground
When we first covered this case, it felt like only 2024 could invent it – a disgraced congressman, George Santos, selling Cameos and a late-night host, Jimmy Kimmel, buying them under fake names to make a point about truth and ego. A year later, the Second Circuit turned that punchline into precedent. And just to […]
When Borrowed Becomes Stolen – The Fair Use Line for Talk Hosts and Podcasters
Jimmy Kimmel’s first monologue back after the recent suspension had the audience laughing and gasping, and, in the hands of countless radio hosts and podcasters, replaying. Within hours, clips of his bit weren’t just being shared online. They were being chopped up, (re)framed, and (re)analyzed as if they were original show content. For listeners, that […]