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Meloni files EU trademark for her voice to counter AI deepfakes
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has applied to the European Union Intellectual Property Office for a trademark on her voice, in a move both reports link to fighting AI-generated deepfakes. The filing, dated 5 October, includes a four-second recording of her repeating the phrase “Io sono Giorgia” — “I am Giorgia” — twice. Italian media and legal experts cited in the reports say approval would not by itself stop AI voice cloning, but could add a legal tool for takedown demands.
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has applied to the European Union Intellectual Property Office for a trademark on her voice, a filing dated 5 October that both reports link to countering AI-generated deepfakes. The EUIPO website shows the application, and the Italian prime minister's office confirmed it, Yonhap reported, citing Reuters. AI Times described it as a case of a major politician seeking trademark protection against AI replication of their voice. [ 1 , 2 ]
The application includes a four-second audio recording in which Meloni repeats the Italian phrase “Io sono Giorgia” — “I am Giorgia” — twice. The phrase comes from a 2019 political rally and is also the title of her 2021 autobiography, according to both reports; Yonhap added that it has even been turned into a disco track in Italy. [ 1 , 2 ]
Both documents describe a record of manipulated material. Yonhap reported that sensational fake images have circulated online repeatedly in recent years, including a fabricated image last spring showing her sitting on a bed in underwear. Meloni has called such images attempts to spread falsehoods and attack an individual, and has urged users to verify content before sharing it, saying she can defend herself but that many others cannot. AI Times reported that fake videos presenting her as promoting investment products have spread on Italian social media and that a cloned voice was used in political advertising, with concern rising ahead of an election scheduled for 2027. [ 1 , 2 ]
The reports differ on her past legal action over an AI deepfake pornographic video. Yonhap said she filed a damages lawsuit worth 100,000 euros (about 150 million won) against a father and son, and that the case is under review in an Italian court. AI Times said she took action against a man from Sardinia over posting the video. The documents do not reconcile the two accounts. [ 1 , 2 ]
Both reports state that even if the trademark is approved, it would not by itself prevent AI from replicating Meloni's voice. Yonhap, citing Italian media, said it could act as an additional legal barrier for those seeking to clone her voice. AI Times said legal experts describe it as an extra channel beyond existing data protection rules, such as grounds to ask social media platforms to delete content, and reported that the application is under review. [ 1 , 2 ]
AI Times also reported dissent on the measure's value, quoting Gianni Riota, head of Italy's digital media observatory, who said that deleted deepfakes can quickly reappear in another form and that the effect may lie more in raising public awareness of the deepfake problem than in legal blocking. Yonhap noted separately that Meloni has led Italy's right-wing coalition government since October 2022, in its fourth year, setting a record as the country's longest-serving government. [ 1 , 2 ]
Почему это важно
The filing tests whether trademark protection can be used by a sitting head of government against AI voice cloning, at a time when the documents say fake videos and cloned audio of her are already circulating in Italy. Both reports note that a trademark alone would not block replication and that its practical value may lie in giving grounds to ask platforms to remove content. Because the subject is a G7 leader, the approach may draw attention from other officials facing the same problem, though the documents do not say others are copying it.
Ключевые факты
- Giorgia Meloni applied to the EU Intellectual Property Office for a trademark on her voice, with the application dated 5 October, according to the EUIPO website and her office. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The application includes a four-second audio recording in which she repeats the Italian phrase “Io sono Giorgia” (“I am Giorgia”) twice. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The phrase comes from a 2019 political rally and is the title of her 2021 autobiography. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Both reports say the move is a response to AI-generated deepfakes of her. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Both reports state that approval would not automatically prevent AI from cloning her voice, though it could give her an additional legal basis to request that platforms remove content. [ 1 , 2 ]
- AI Times reported that the application is under review and that Italy's next general election is scheduled for 2027. [ 2 ]
Подтверждено несколькими источниками
- Meloni submitted a trademark application for her voice to the EU Intellectual Property Office with a date of 5 October, a filing that includes a four-second recording of her repeating “Io sono Giorgia” twice. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The phrase originated at a 2019 political rally and became the title of her 2021 autobiography. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The Italian prime minister's office confirmed the filing. [ 1 ]
- The purpose cited in the coverage is to respond to AI-generated deepfakes, and both reports say approval would not by itself stop AI from replicating her voice. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Both reports say manipulated images of Meloni have circulated online, including a fabricated image of her sitting on a bed in underwear. [ 1 , 2 ]
Пока неясно
- Details of Meloni's 2024 legal action over an AI deepfake pornographic video The two documents disagree: Yonhap says she filed a damages lawsuit of 100,000 euros against a father and son, with the case still before an Italian court, while AI Times says she took action against a man from Sardinia over posting the video. The documents do not reconcile the accounts.
- Whether the EUIPO application will be approved and when AI Times says the application is under review; Yonhap only reports that the application was filed, and neither document gives a decision date.
- Specifics of the fake videos and cloned voice use cited by AI Times, such as the investment-product videos and use of a cloned voice in political advertising These are reported only by AI Times, a single source, and no dates or examples are given.
- Whether the 2027 Italian general election date will be affected by deepfake concerns AI Times mentions the election as context for rising concern but does not link it to any concrete measure.
Что пишут местные СМИ
Хронология, местное время
- Meloni's trademark application for her voice is filed with the EU Intellectual Property Office, dated 5 October, according to the EUIPO website. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Yonhap publishes its report, citing Reuters and confirming the filing with the Italian prime minister's office. [ 1 ]
- AI Times publishes its report, saying the application is under review and citing legal experts on its limits. [ 2 ]