I think I remember comments from other Nuance voice contributors that it was a contract job and there' no on-going payments or royalties. The only one making money from those voices after-the-fact is Nuance from licensing fees.
Yes, but it's doubtful the rights assigned included broadcast advertising rights because at the time it was signed, Nuance probably never anticipated that it would be used that way. The contract would also have to have included a phrase like, "in any and all media, both that known today and media that will be developed in the future..."
If it did, the actors are screwed. If it didn't, an actor could indeed go after Nuance for exploiting rights they didn't have. It doesn't matter if the contract was a work-for-hire or not. What matters is what rights Nuance was specifically granted. (I work in this area so I'm very familiar with what needs to be in the contract and who gets sued over what. A publisher who had the rights to publish works around a licensed character published an ancillary book featuring that character. The original rights holders went after them and they settled out of court for $12 million.)
So? The Siri voice was recorded in 2005. Perhaps she was still working then.
My point was that by the time they understood it would be used in a mass market device like the iPhone, she was no longer with us, so they couldn't say, "hey, let's get Barrett", although if there are enough dialog recordings in the clear from her Star Trek performances, they could probably be used to construct the voice for Siri purposes by using individual syllables.
Yes, but it's doubtful the rights assigned included broadcast advertising rights because at the time it was signed, Nuance probably never anticipated that it would be used that way. The contract would also have to have included a phrase like, "in any and all media, both that known today and media that will be developed in the future..."
If it did, the actors are screwed. If it didn't, an actor could indeed go after Nuance for exploiting rights they didn't have. It doesn't matter if the contract was a work-for-hire or not. What matters is what rights Nuance was specifically granted. (I work in this area so I'm very familiar with what needs to be in the contract and who gets sued over what. A publisher who had the rights to publish works around a licensed character published an ancillary book featuring that character. The original rights holders went after them and they settled out of court for $12 million.)
Please Apple... locate Douglas Rain as the voice for Siri... so that we can enjoy The Most Classic and Classy computer voice of all time -- the HAL 9000 computer -- in our pockets from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and its sequel, 2010 (1984).
I’m to understand he doesn’t want to associate himself with HAL anymore, for some reason.
Though he’d be my first choice for a voice like that.
In her CNN interview, she said she recorded the voices in 2005. Apple did not use Siri until 2010. Makes me think of what Apple has in store for the next few years...
Accordingly the next iPhone or 2 designs was planned by Steve Jobs so yeah apple always have 5 year plan planned.
Comments
I think I remember comments from other Nuance voice contributors that it was a contract job and there' no on-going payments or royalties. The only one making money from those voices after-the-fact is Nuance from licensing fees.
Yes, but it's doubtful the rights assigned included broadcast advertising rights because at the time it was signed, Nuance probably never anticipated that it would be used that way. The contract would also have to have included a phrase like, "in any and all media, both that known today and media that will be developed in the future..."
If it did, the actors are screwed. If it didn't, an actor could indeed go after Nuance for exploiting rights they didn't have. It doesn't matter if the contract was a work-for-hire or not. What matters is what rights Nuance was specifically granted. (I work in this area so I'm very familiar with what needs to be in the contract and who gets sued over what. A publisher who had the rights to publish works around a licensed character published an ancillary book featuring that character. The original rights holders went after them and they settled out of court for $12 million.)
Lol. And the guy responds with "Yes Sir."
So? The Siri voice was recorded in 2005. Perhaps she was still working then.
My point was that by the time they understood it would be used in a mass market device like the iPhone, she was no longer with us, so they couldn't say, "hey, let's get Barrett", although if there are enough dialog recordings in the clear from her Star Trek performances, they could probably be used to construct the voice for Siri purposes by using individual syllables.
Here's another one, "British Daniel".
http://www.idownloadblog.com/2011/11/10/voice-actor-british-siri-speaks-out/
and here's one that you'll be very interested in if you're not already familiar with the details.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/arts/television/21gta.html?partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all&_r=0
I’m to understand he doesn’t want to associate himself with HAL anymore, for some reason.
Though he’d be my first choice for a voice like that.