Denmark Just Turned Your Likeness Into Property

Why formal ownership completes the trust stack for AI twins

Author

Natalie Monbiot
July 10, 2025

What’s Top of Mind This Week 📰

Denmark Just Put a Legal Floor Under the Virtual Human Economy

I wrote about how Copenhagen’s draft bill would give every Danish resident a copyright-style right to their face and voice and would force platforms to delete an unauthorized AI clone within 24 hours—or pay serious fines. The measure is geographically narrow—Danes only, for now—but it signals the first national move to turn likeness into regulated property. If Brussels follows, the rule could soon span the EU.

That floor lands alongside a governance layer already forming where identity is most valuable. YouTube and CAA run live face-matching for top creators; SAG-AFTRA and Replica Studios have union rates; ElevenLabs has already paid out $5 million in voice royalties. Talent agencies need new services, platforms must keep talent from drifting, unions must protect member jobs, and AI vendors win trust by sharing revenue. High-value identities create the incentives; now Denmark lays the floor for a broader rollout.

The Virtual Human Economy stack is taking shape—extending the same protections, and the same economic opportunities, to the rest of us.

⚡️ Free Lightning Lesson — Business Use-Cases for Building an AI Digital Twin

Thursday, July 18 — 12 pm ET / 9 am PT — Virtual

A 30-minute, fast-paced rundown of real-world wins (and pitfalls) from my own AI-twin projects.

Business Use Cases for Building an AI Digital Twin

AI twins are fast becoming an essential interface between leaders and their stakeholders. Creating a digital twin enables you to: 1) Reduce time spent on repetitive communication; 2) Pre-qualify leads or talent with contextual intel; 3) Distribute your insights across your org or audience with consistency and nuance.

maven.com/p/7d0f0c/business-use-cases-for-building-an-ai-digital-twin

🧠 Andus Labs — AfterNow: A Live AI Assembly

Wednesday, July 23 — Virtual

My friends at Andus Labs are hosting a full-day summit to rethink how we work, lead, and create with AI. Speakers include Douglas Rushkoff, Marina Gorbis, Nicholas Thompson, and more.

Use code ALNETWORK for 20% off.
👉 Register here: https://lu.ma/afternow

Stay Connected 👋

Until next time!

Natalie