Why is Tom Brady suing two comedians over a recent comedy special featuring an AI image of him?
The legendary quarterback is the latest to find himself involved with the new wave of AI related events. Only he doesn’t seem to be a fan in the least.
Following a recent broadcast from a pair of comedians, the former Buccaneers signal caller has promised legal action if an AI-generated likeness of him is not removed. The question of course immediately moves toward matters of freedom of speech and how related laws may be affected.
Tom Brady threatens to sue after AI-generated comedy special
According to reports, legal representatives for NFL legend, Tom Brady, have sent a cease-and-desist letter to comedians Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen, in which they make it crystal clear that they will sue the pair if they don’t remove an AI-generated comedy special which appears to impersonate Brady. The hour-long special, titled “It’s Too Easy! A Simulated Hour-Long Comedy Special” featured an AI version of Brady doing standup and telling jokes that were viewed as less than politically correct.
According to the comedians who helped create a comedy special featuring an AI-generated Tom Brady this month ... the NFL legend threatened legal action over it all, forcing them to wipe it from the internet this week. https://t.co/q5SJCn55Rt
— TMZ (@TMZ) April 20, 2023
As per the letter, Brady’s attorneys stated that the special “blatantly violated” the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s rights and demanded that the hosts of the podcast either remove the video posted to their Patreon or face a lawsuit.
What was the response to Tom Brady’s cease-and-desist letter?
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Though both Sasso and Kultgen agreed to remove the likeness, they didn’t do so happily. The comedians were quick to point out that the AI-generated impersonation of Brady, was nothing more than a satirical take and in no way outside of what traditional impersonations of celebrities are on comedy shows.
Tom Brady vs AI Tom Brady.
— SportsTalkOnPrime (@SportsTalkPrime) April 21, 2023
A few weeks ago, @dudesypodshow created an hour long AI generated Tom Brady Comedy Special and Tom's team was not happy.@Eitanthegoalie @ThisGuyDrex @reidtfowler pic.twitter.com/K7AMlJtSWI
“Again, I think this is First Amendment, freedom of speech-type s--t that we’re dealing with here,” Kultgen said. “This is obviously a parody...This is what all impressionists do. You watch hours of tape of that person to get their mannerisms and stuff like this down. It’s literally the same.” It’s worth mentioning, that Brady isn’t a bad sport in that he did in fact agree to appear in a Netflix roast special last May. That’s to say he clearly has no problem laughing at himself, but perhaps the accuracy of AI takes things outside of the realm of parody and more into reality. Either way, this likely won’t be the last time we see something like this.