Legal, Ethics & Safety

US Copyright Office Position: Purely AI-generated images cannot be copyrighted. However, works containing "sufficient human authorship" may qualify. What counts as sufficient human input: 1) Creative Direction - Specific, detailed prompts showing creative choices. 2) Selection & Arrangement - Curating/combining multiple AI outputs. 3) Post-Generation Modification - Significant editing in Photoshop or similar software. 4) Integration with Human-Created Elements - Combining AI elements with original human art. Documentation Strategy: Keep records of: Prompt iterations, selection process, editing steps, creative decisions. Registration Process: When registering, disclose AI involvement, emphasize human creative contributions. Each case evaluated individually by Copyright Office.

Primary Legal Risks: 1) Copyright Infringement - If AI reproduces protected elements from training data. 2) Trademark Violation - Generating logos/similarities to registered trademarks. 3) Right of Publicity - Creating images of celebrities/recognizable people. 4) Defamation - Generating false/unflattering images of real people. 5) False Advertising - Misrepresenting products/services with AI images. Liability Protection: 1) Use platforms with indemnification clauses. 2) Implement human review processes. 3) Avoid generating recognizable people/brands. 4) Purchase errors & omissions insurance. 5) Include AI disclosures where required. High-Risk Industries: Healthcare, finance, legal, and advertising have additional regulatory compliance requirements.

Addressing AI Bias: 1) Awareness - Recognize common biases (racial, gender, cultural stereotypes). 2) Intentional Prompting - Specify diversity in prompts (e.g., "diverse group of professionals"). 3) Post-Generation Review - Check outputs for stereotypical representations. 4) Use Multiple Models - Different AI systems have different bias patterns. 5) Human Oversight - Implement review processes for sensitive content. Ethical Framework: 1) UNESCO's AI Ethics Recommendations. 2) IEEE's Ethically Aligned Design. 3) EU's Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI. Practical Steps: Create internal guidelines, train team members, establish review committees for sensitive projects, document ethical considerations in creative process.

Current Disclosure Requirements: 1) Stock Platforms - Shutterstock, Adobe Stock require AI content labeling. 2) Social Media - Meta (Facebook/Instagram) requires disclosure for political ads. 3) Journalism - Many news organizations have internal AI disclosure policies. 4) EU AI Act - Will require disclosure of AI-generated content. Best Practices: 1) When in doubt, disclose. 2) Use clear labels like "AI-generated image" or "Created with AI assistance". 3) Consider context - editorial vs commercial, educational vs entertainment. 4) Follow platform-specific guidelines. Future Trends: Watermarking standards (C2PA), blockchain verification, metadata tagging. Legal Requirements Vary: Some jurisdictions considering mandatory disclosure laws, particularly for political content.

Potential Legal Actions: 1) Copyright Infringement - If output substantially similar to protected work. 2) Trademark Dilution - Using protected marks in commerce. 3) Right of Publicity - Using celebrity likeness without permission. 4) Defamation - Creating false damaging images of individuals. Protections Available: 1) Platform Terms - Some platforms offer limited indemnification. 2) Fair Use Defense - May apply for transformative uses, but untested for AI. 3) Independent Creation - Defense if you can prove no copying occurred. 4) Insurance - Errors & omissions policies may cover some claims. Risk Mitigation: Document creative process, avoid generating recognizable people/brands, use multiple sources/reference, implement human review, consult legal counsel for commercial projects.