Attention All Members Who Do Audiobook Narration Work
Important Notice Regarding: Assigning rights to create, and license or use digital replicas of your voice in audiobooks
Given the emergence of AI audiobook companies, the broad concerns around the use of digital voices in audiobooks, and the importance of having union protections in this arena, with the unanimous support of the SAG-AFTRA Audiobook Steering Committee, the Executive Committee of the National Board has voted to issue a “No Contract, No Work” order against companies seeking to create, and license or use digital voice replicas for audiobooks.
Therefore, SAG-AFTRA members are hereby informed that no member may enter into agreements with companies seeking to create, and license or use digital replicas of their voice or to train AI systems for use in audiobooks until such time as the company becomes signatory to a SAG-AFTRA agreement. Members are further advised that violation of such order may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the SAG-AFTRA Constitution.
As a reminder, in jurisdictions subject to Global Rule 1, including film, television, commercials and video games, members may not work without a union contract regardless of whether the employer seeks to acquire AI rights.
For more information or if you are otherwise contacted by the company, contact Jane Love, National Director of Audiobooks at jane.love@sagaftra.org.