A bipartisan group of U.S. senators, led by Washington Senator Maria Cantwell, introduced the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media (COPIED) Act on Thursday.

The COPIED Act proposes a standardized method for watermarking AI-generated content, making it easily detectable. It mandates AI tool providers to allow creators to attach unremovable information detailing the origin or “provenance” of their content.

Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) also support the bill. “The COPIED Act will bring much-needed transparency to AI-generated content,” stated Sen. Cantwell. “It empowers creators, including local journalists, artists, and musicians, to regain control of their content with a robust provenance and watermark process.”

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will develop the watermarking methods and data standards under this proposal. Additionally, the COPIED Act prohibits unauthorized use of content for AI training, ensuring creator control and compensation. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general will enforce these provisions.

The FTC emphasized its regulatory role in November, asserting that generative AI could “turbocharge” scams, underscoring its commitment to protecting consumers.

Sen. Blackburn highlighted the importance of the act, stating, “AI has enabled bad actors to create deepfakes, exploiting individuals’ likenesses without consent. The COPIED Act is crucial for protecting artists and performers from such counterfeit content.”

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA director, praised the legislation, saying, “Senator Cantwell’s bill ensures transparency and traceability, enabling victims of AI misuse to identify and pursue malicious actors. A transparent and accountable AI content supply chain is essential to protect individuals’ rights over their faces, voices, and personas.”

RIAA Chairman Mitch Glazier added, “As AI-generated deepfakes proliferate, protecting artists’ legacies has never been more critical. The COPIED Act’s provenance requirements are foundational for enforcing creators’ rights.”

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