Thank you for raising this concern. To start with the conclusion, I do not intend to reject fan creations or attempts at creating voice banks involving Akita Neru simply because “AI is being used.” Whether something is problematic should be judged not by whether AI is involved, but by how Akita Neru’s visual design or name is being used in each specific case. I’ll separate this into two points: visual design and name usage. First, regarding the use of Akita Neru’s visual design, I basically do not see it as a problem as long as it does not conflict with Japanese copyright law or the usage guidelines for Akita Neru, including the PCL (Piapro Character License) rules that are applied to Akita Neru in practice. I believe this basic criterion does not fundamentally change even if AI-related technology is used in the process of creating or using the work. For example, even in a case like this, where Akita Neru is used as an image character for an AI singing synthesis project, I would not immediately forbid such use simply because AI-related technology is being applied. However, AI singing synthesis itself may involve separate rights and rules from the use of Akita Neru as a character. These may include the voice data used for training, recordings, singers or speakers, and the terms of the platform or software being used. For that reason, what I can answer here is limited to the use of Akita Neru’s visual design, name, and other character-related elements. Please note that I am not guaranteeing the legality of each AI singing synthesis software or service, as that may differ from case to case. Regarding the use of the name “Akita Neru,” separately from the use of her visual design, I may consider responding in some way in the future if the name is used in the following ways: - Infringing upon the rights of third parties - Defaming or slandering a specific individual or organization - Linking Akita Neru to a specific product or service without permission for promotional purposes - Misleading people into thinking that a character product or voice model is official or officially approved - Promoting a particular political ideology, religion, or similar belief as if it were the official position of Akita Neru or her creator *However, I do not consider it a problem if it falls within the scope of general creative expression, such as incorporating social satire or religious motifs into a work. Please note that the conditions listed above are only a provisional outline. At this stage, they are not formal guidelines or strict rules, but I would appreciate it if they could be understood as a personal request from me. Finally, to repeat my conclusion, I believe whether there is a problem with the way a character is used should be judged based on the nature of the act itself, rather than on whether AI is involved. So I would like to make it clear that even if I do not consider an individual case to be a problem, that does not mean I am making a blanket statement of full support for AI in general. Thank you for reading.
