Theguardian iconTheguardianSep 30, 2026

AI tool that copied actor’s ‘lustrous’ voice violated his rights, Tokyo court rules

Kenjiro Tsuda wins case against TikTok account in landmark Japanese verdict to protect publicity rights A court in Japan has ruled that the human voice has legal protection after a landmark case involving a well-known actor and a TikTok account that he claimed had cloned his "lustrous" baritone voice in its videos. Tokyo district court said on Wednesday that voices should enjoy the same protection as publicity rights, at the end of a closely watched legal action brought against TikTok by Kenjiro Tsuda – best known for voicing the character Kento Nanami in the anime Jujutsu Kaisen.

AI tool that copied actor’s ‘lustrous’ voice violated his rights, Tokyo court rules

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Kenjiro Tsuda wins case against TikTok account in landmark Japanese verdict to protect publicity rights A court in Japan has ruled that the human voice has legal protection after a landmark case involving a...

Tokyo district court said on Wednesday that voices should enjoy the same protection as publicity rights, at the end of a closely watched legal action brought against TikTok by Kenjiro Tsuda – best known for...

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Kenjiro Tsuda wins case against TikTok account in landmark Japanese verdict to protect publicity rights A court in Japan has ruled that the human voice has legal protection after a landmark case involving a well-known actor and a TikTok account that he claimed had cloned his "lustrous" baritone voice in its videos. Tokyo district court said on Wednesday that voices should enjoy the same protection as publicity rights, at the end of a closely watched legal action brought against TikTok by Kenjiro Tsuda – best known for voicing the character Kento Nanami in the anime Jujutsu Kaisen.

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  • Tokyo district court said on Wednesday that voices should enjoy the same protection as publicity rights, at the end of a closely watched legal action brought against TikTok by Kenjiro Tsuda – best known for...

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Kenjiro Tsuda wins case against TikTok account in landmark Japanese verdict to protect publicity rights A court in Japan has ruled that the human voice has legal protection after a landmark case involving a well-known actor and a TikTok account that he claimed had cloned his "lustrous" baritone voice in its videos.

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