OpenAI’s popular chatbot tool ChatGPT has been flooded with requests to generate images in the style of Hayao Miyazaki’s iconic animation studio, Studio Ghibli. In response, OpenAI has cracked down on these requests and introduced changes that often refuse to produce Ghibli-style images.
This trend has reignited a heated debate about copyright and the use of generative AI, with former general counsel at Showtime and AI expert Rob Rosenberg suggesting that Ghibli may have grounds to sue OpenAI under US copyright law. According to Rosenberg, Ghibli could argue that OpenAI is trading off the goodwill of its trademarks by using its style in user-generated images.
Rosenberg believes that if OpenAI were marketing its platform as a place where users can generate Ghibli-style anime, it would be more likely to face copyright infringement claims. However, there is currently no clear legal precedent on this issue, and it remains to be seen whether Ghibli will pursue legal action against OpenAI.
The situation has significant implications for the future of AI-generated content, with Rosenberg warning that companies like Meta have already been accused of illegally downloading copyrighted material to train their models. As the debate surrounding copyright and fair use continues, one thing is clear: the boundaries between homage and misrepresentation are becoming increasingly blurred.
Source: https://futurism.com/lawyer-studio-ghibli-legal-action-openai