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AI Copyright Wars: Lawsuits Rock Tech Giants
11 Dec
Summary
- Major copyright holders are suing AI firms for alleged infringement.
- AI companies argue training on copyrighted data is transformative fair use.
- AI firms are likely to settle or license content rather than close.
The rapid advancement of generative AI, exemplified by ChatGPT, has coincided with a growing battle over copyright law. Leading AI firms are facing numerous lawsuits from copyright holders who allege their models were trained on unauthorized, copyrighted internet data. Prominent cases include Disney and Universal suing Midjourney for allegedly using their characters, with Midjourney asserting fair use as a defense.
This legal resistance highlights the complexity of copyright in the AI era, surprising experts who initially predicted it would hinder AI progress. Even governments, like Japan's, have urged AI companies to respect intellectual property. OpenAI, for instance, faced criticism and altered its policies regarding the depiction of public figures after complaints from estates and advocacy groups.
Many AI companies are expected to navigate these challenges through a combination of settlements and licensing deals, rather than succumbing to lawsuits. While some AI companies may not survive, the broader field of AI is seen as resilient and here to stay, adapting to legal frameworks through financial arrangements and evolving policies.
