KDDC and Korea Model Culture and Arts Association Sign Agreement to Protect Models' Digital Rights

The Korea Model Culture and Arts Association and the KDDC have signed a business agreement to protect models' digital rights and establish a foundation for content utilization in the AI era. According to media reports, both parties held an agreement ceremony at the KDDC office on the 29th, attended by officials including Chairperson Lee Sun-jin and CEO Jeong Ui-seok.

Under the agreement, both organizations will join forces to build and manage unique information such as a model's portrait, body, facial expressions, and movements in the form of digital DNA. The Korea Model Culture and Arts Association, an incorporated association under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has approximately 50 board members, including Chairperson Lee Sun-jin, Lee Hwa-sun, Lee Hyun-yi, and Song Hae-na. The association promotes the development of the model industry and the improvement of its members' rights and interests.

KDDC is establishing a management system that secures an individual's unique information as digital data through high-precision filming and determines the scope of utilization based on the rights holder's consent. The two organizations plan to step-by-step promote the construction of model digital DNA, protection of digital portrait rights, establishment of data utilization standards in the AI environment, and joint planning of digital content and education businesses. The goal is to expand the foundation for models to participate in AI content, such as advertising, fashion, and digital humans, while maintaining their rights.

Chairperson Lee Sun-jin stated, “The advancement of AI technology is opening new possibilities for the model industry, but at the same time, responding to the issue where a model's portrait and image may be used regardless of their intention is becoming important. Through this agreement, we will protect the rights of models and establish a foundation to actively respond to the changing digital content environment.”

CEO Jeong Ui-seok said, “In the era of generative AI, not only an individual's portrait but also their facial expressions, body, and movements can be utilized as important digital assets. Through Digital DNA, KDDC will create an environment where individual models can maintain rights to their digital identity while being utilized in various content fields according to clear consent and standards.” Following the agreement, both organizations plan to concretize the model data management system and expand cooperation for AI content in various industrial fields.

The Korea Social Welfare Journal is striving to deliver press releases and welfare information more easily and accurately with the help of AI technology.