4 ms·

I have to say that this is the most insane thing I've seen on the internet this week. And I'm not talking about the quality of your product. I mean to use Jord

I have to say that this is the most insane thing I've seen on the internet this week. And I'm not talking about the quality of your product. I mean to use Jordan Peterson without consent or reference is not bold as other are saying, but is verging on criminal. How can you even calmly post this on HN?

vorpalhex 4y ago
I imagine they used him as a majority in training because so many of his lectures and samples are available for free... But that "professor" voice is extremely recognizable as him. The entrepreneur voice is familar as well but I can't place it. It might be a better blend of more people.
- sergnio 4y ago
  Sounds like Gary Vee - I had similar thoughts, seems a bit sketchy and no reply from OP makes it seem like they know they are probably in the wrong.
  - throwaway2016a 4y ago
    Same thing. I immediately recognized Gary Vee. And I imagine that using audio generated that sounds exactly like him without his permission is gray area at best.
  - yessirwhatever 4y ago
    They did. Found this from comments on ProductHunt > thanks for a great question. Candidly speaking, I’d say we’re taking a “move fast” and “seek forgiveness later” approach. The plan is a) to try to apologize and get a license if there are demands and if that doesn’t work b) create new synthetic voices that are not of real people. This infuriates me to no end. People with that kind of mentality fuck up the entire startup ecosystem for everyone.
    - vorpalhex 4y ago
      Apparently the creator has been down this road before and got told off. Apparently a firm "stop using people's voices without permission" was not sufficient. So that makes this intentional and the excuse of "I didn't know any better" no longer plays.
dubswithus 4y ago
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
- yessirwhatever 4y ago
  Identity theft is not flattery
  - dubswithus 4y ago
    Are voices really protected? Could you cite the statute? I really don't see the outrage. If I do an impression of Jordan Peterson am I also in violation of a social code?
    - yessirwhatever 4y ago
      You're intentionally missing the point. This is wrong and you know it. Impressions are different than building a model that can say anything using someone's voice, especially if they're recognizable and/or relative public figures. It's like someone selling stolen credit cards and then claiming they're doing nothing wrong because people who are buying them are the ones committing the crimes.
      - deleted 4y ago
        [deleted]

vorpalhex 4y ago

I imagine they used him as a majority in training because so many of his lectures and samples are available for free... But that "professor" voice is extremely recognizable as him. The entrepreneur voice is familar as well but I can't place it. It might be a better blend of more people.

sergnio 4y ago
Sounds like Gary Vee - I had similar thoughts, seems a bit sketchy and no reply from OP makes it seem like they know they are probably in the wrong.
- throwaway2016a 4y ago
  Same thing. I immediately recognized Gary Vee. And I imagine that using audio generated that sounds exactly like him without his permission is gray area at best.
- yessirwhatever 4y ago
  They did. Found this from comments on ProductHunt > thanks for a great question. Candidly speaking, I’d say we’re taking a “move fast” and “seek forgiveness later” approach. The plan is a) to try to apologize and get a license if there are demands and if that doesn’t work b) create new synthetic voices that are not of real people. This infuriates me to no end. People with that kind of mentality fuck up the entire startup ecosystem for everyone.
  - vorpalhex 4y ago
    Apparently the creator has been down this road before and got told off. Apparently a firm "stop using people's voices without permission" was not sufficient. So that makes this intentional and the excuse of "I didn't know any better" no longer plays.

dubswithus 4y ago

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

yessirwhatever 4y ago
Identity theft is not flattery
- dubswithus 4y ago
  Are voices really protected? Could you cite the statute? I really don't see the outrage. If I do an impression of Jordan Peterson am I also in violation of a social code?
  - yessirwhatever 4y ago
    You're intentionally missing the point. This is wrong and you know it. Impressions are different than building a model that can say anything using someone's voice, especially if they're recognizable and/or relative public figures. It's like someone selling stolen credit cards and then claiming they're doing nothing wrong because people who are buying them are the ones committing the crimes.
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]