- Settlement discussions given Aero’s stated willingness to apologize and cease use
- Motion to dismiss if Schmitman’s team argues the declaratory judgment action is premature
- Counter-claims asserting substantive voice misappropriation violations
- Discovery phase examining the scope of AI voice usage and employee authorization protocols
This dispute joins a growing docket of federal AI voice litigation. Recent parallel cases include audiobook narrators suing speech synthesis company ElevenLabs in August 2024 for alleged unauthorized voice cloning, and a radio personality’s lawsuit against Motel 6 for continued voice usage after contract termination.
The legal framework remains unsettled as technology advances faster than legislative adaptation. Actress Scarlett Johansson’s high-profile objection to ChatGPT’s voice similarity in May 2024 highlighted the intersection of AI development and personality rights.
Sources
- Federal Complaint (U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, Filed January 2025) — Case No. 5:25-cv-01127
- Craig Schmitman Professional Profile (IMDb Database)
- Legal Representation: Aero Cosmetics represented by David Henry, Munck Wilson Mandala LLP
