Actress Zhao Liying has initiated legal action against the production team and platform behind a short-form drama, alleging the unauthorized use of her likeness through AI-generated face-swapping technology.
The case, which recently went to trial, involves a claim for 810,000 yuan in damages.
The lawsuit focuses on the intersection of generative AI and personality rights. Legal representatives for the plaintiff argue that the defendants cannot use the defense of “technical neutrality” to evade liability for infringing upon an individual’s image rights.
The legal proceedings name both the production entity responsible for the short drama and the streaming platform that hosted the content. By targeting both parties, the litigation seeks to establish accountability across the digital content supply chain.
According to reports from Jishi News, the core of the dispute rests on whether platforms can be held responsible for the AI-generated content produced by third parties that appears on their services. The case highlights a growing trend of celebrities challenging the unauthorized replication of their faces in digital media.
The plaintiff’s legal team asserts that the commercial use of an AI-generated likeness without consent constitutes a clear violation of personality rights. They contend that the technology used to swap faces into the drama does not grant the creators immunity from copyright or image rights laws.
The defendants maintain that their role as a platform or technical provider should be viewed through the lens of neutral service provision. However, the court’s decision on whether this "technical neutrality" holds up in the face of unauthorized deepfake-style content will likely shape future industry standards.
What is the total amount of compensation sought?
The plaintiff is seeking 810,000 yuan in damages from the production team and the hosting platform.
What is the main legal defense being challenged?
The lawsuit specifically challenges the “technical neutrality” defense, which is often used by platforms to claim they are not liable for the content generated or uploaded by users or third-party producers.
Why is this case significant for AI regulations?
The ruling will help define the boundaries of personality rights in the age of generative AI, particularly regarding who bears legal responsibility when an AI model is used to replicate a celebrity’s face for commercial content.
Keep reading