The United States Copyright Office has published a report emphasizing the importance of maintaining the "centrality of human creativity" in the protection of artworks. According to Shira Perlmutter, the office's director, protection extends to works assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) if they are perceptible and include creative modifications by a human.
The report addresses the debate regarding copyrighted works used to train AI systems without consent or compensation. While they acknowledge the creativity expressed through AI systems, the report makes it clear that copyright claims for content generated solely by machines will continue to be rejected.
On the other hand, the office confirms that a human who modifies a work created by AI with creative adjustments could be eligible for copyright protection. This position maintains a balance by recognizing human contribution in AI-assisted artistic creation.
The report, part of a comprehensive document on copyright, establishes that works generated solely by AI systems are not eligible for copyright. Despite receiving approximately 10,000 comments, the majority agreed that works generated exclusively by AI should not be protected by copyright.
In summary, while works created with the assistance of AI can now be registered for copyright in the United States, the report emphasizes the importance of keeping human creativity at the center of the protection of works, thus avoiding undermining the constitutional goals of copyright.
