The U.S. Copyright Office has issued a report emphasizing the urgent need for new federal legislation to regulate deepfakes and digital replicas.

This report, titled 'Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, Part 1: Digital Replicas,' is the first in a series exploring the intersection of AI and copyright law.

The report warns that the unauthorized distribution of deepfakes poses significant risks across various sectors, including entertainment, politics, and personal privacy.

Current laws are deemed inadequate, highlighting the necessity for prompt federal action to address the threats posed by AI-created digital replicas.

Congress is actively working on legislation to protect individuals' voices and likenesses from AI-generated replicas, with recent bills introduced.

The report calls for new federal legislation that proposes protections for all individuals, not just those with commercial value, to address the unique challenges posed by digital replicas.

It emphasizes that all individuals should have the right to control the use of their likenesses to prevent harms such as blackmail and defamation.

The report suggests implementing safe harbor provisions to encourage online service providers to swiftly remove unauthorized digital replicas.

The proposed legislation would cover individuals' rights during their lifetime, include limited postmortem rights, and impose liability for unauthorized distribution of digital replicas.

This report coincides with the Senate's active work on new legislation related to digital replicas and AI, including the recently passed DEFIANCE Act to aid victims of sexual deepfakes.

The report indicates that both individuals and businesses could suffer financial and reputational damage due to deepfakes.