AI-Assisted Works Eligible for Copyright Protection with Human Creativity, States US Copyright Office

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3 hours ago2 min read

In a recent development, the US Copyright Office has affirmed that artists can secure copyright for works created with the assistance of artificial intelligence. This announcement is poised to pave the way for the integration of AI tools in various creative sectors such as Hollywood and the music industry.

An American flag is mounted on a pole extending from the side of a brick building. The flag is waving in the wind, displaying its red and white stripes and blue field with white stars.

The US Copyright Office, housed within the Library of Congress, processes around 500,000 copyright applications annually, encompassing millions of individual works. With the rising trend of AI-generated content, the office has been increasingly approached to register such works.

Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter emphasised the importance of human creativity in the creation of copyrighted works. She stated, "Where that creativity is expressed through the use of AI systems, it continues to enjoy protection."

The report highlights that an AI-assisted work may be eligible for copyright if the artist's input is discernible. Additionally, if a human artist adapts an AI-generated output through creative modifications, it could also qualify for copyright protection.

The comprehensive report, initiated in 2023, gathered insights from a diverse range of individuals, including AI developers, actors, and musicians. It clarifies that the copyright office will not grant copyright claims for fully machine-generated content. Simply instructing a chatbot or AI image generator to produce a work does not confer copyright ownership.

Notably, the report does not address the ongoing debate surrounding the use of copyrighted human works to train AI systems without proper authorisation or compensation. Various entities, including visual artists and news organisations, have filed lawsuits against AI companies for copyright infringement.

While refraining from commenting on legal disputes, the copyright office disclosed plans for a forthcoming report focusing on the training of AI models using copyrighted works, licensing considerations, and the allocation of liability.

Artists can copyright AI-assisted works with human creativity, states US Copyright Office
Register of Copyrights emphasises the importance of human input in creating copyrighted works
Report clarifies eligibility criteria for copyright protection of AI-generated content

Source: AP NEWS