The “NO FAKES” Act of 2026 (“Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe”) would establish an intellectual property right by which individuals could authorize or block digital replicas of their voice and likeness. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on whether to advance the bill today — June 18, 2026.
In the guest post below, Lyor Cohen, YouTube’s global head of music (and formerly a top executive at Warner Music, Def Jam Records and Rush Management), and Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy (and a veteran musician, songwriter and producer), make their case for the bill’s importance. The pair spoke on the subject at a Grammys on the Hill event in April.
Variety welcomes responsible commentary — contact music@variety.com if interested.
Between us, we’ve spent the better part of six decades fighting for artists. One from inside the industry’s biggest stages — Def Jam, YouTube — and one who went from the recording studio to the helm of music’s highest institution. We’re not always certain on where the industry is going, but on this, there’s no debate: Artists have to win or nothing works.
Artificial intelligence is putting that principle to the test.
