2 hrs ago
Meloni Seeks EU Trademark for Voice Amid Deepfake Risks
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister, wants to trademark her voice in the European Union.
Her application includes a short recording of her saying, “I am Giorgia.”
She says manipulated content can spread false claims and harm people.
The trademark application is still being reviewed.
Italian media report that a trademark would not automatically stop people from making AI deepfakes of her voice.
It could, however, make it harder for people to copy her voice without permission.
Meloni also brought a court case in 2024 over alleged fake sexual images made using her face.
That case has not yet been decided.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni applied to trademark her voice through the European Union Intellectual Property Office.
The application, dated October 5, includes a four-second recording of her twice saying, “I am Giorgia” in Italian.
The EUIPO application remains under examination.
Italian media say approval would not itself prevent AI deepfakes, but could create additional legal obstacles to copying her voice.
A civil case Meloni launched in 2024 over alleged deepfake pornographic images made with her face remains pending in an Italian court.
- Who
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
- What
- She applied to trademark her voice to address risks from AI-generated deepfakes.
- Where
- The application was filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office; the related civil case is before an Italian court.
- When
- The application is dated October 5; the year is not specified in the article. Meloni launched a related civil action in 2024.
- Why
- Meloni has said manipulated material can spread falsehoods and target people, and has urged users to verify content before sharing.
Potential protection
Limits of a trademark
What the application could achieve
Potential protection
Meloni is seeking trademark protection amid concerns that manipulated content can spread falsehoods and target people; approval could add legal obstacles to copying her voice.
Limits of a trademark
Italian media report that even if approved, the trademark would not by itself prevent the use of her voice in AI-generated deepfakes.
Key facts
- Applicant
- Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister
- Trademark office
- European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
- Application date
- October 5; the year is not specified
- Recording
- A four-second clip in which Meloni says “I am Giorgia” twice in Italian
- Application status
- Still under examination
- Reported effect
- Approval would not itself prevent voice deepfakes but could create additional legal obstacles to replicating her voice
- Related court case
- A civil action launched in 2024 over alleged deepfake pornographic images remains pending before an Italian court
Quotes
Giorgia Meloni
Italian prime minister whose voice trademark application is discussed in the article
“I am Giorgia Meloni.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
Related news
Bombay High Court Protects Samantha Ruth Prabhu From Deepfakes
Study Finds EU Women Politicians Face More Deepfake Porn
Delhi HC Orders Meta Takedown, Notices CJP Leaders Over Deepfake
Delhi High Court Orders Meta Takedown of Alleged Modi Deepfake
Urvashi Rautela Team Claims Legal Action Over AI Identity Use
