The hottest Copyright Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics
Gradient Ascendant 11 implied HN points 25 Nov 24
  1. The legal issues around AI and reading published work are complex. While people can read anything published, there's ongoing debate about whether AI should be allowed to learn from those works.
  2. Many artists feel that AI trained on their work could be considered stealing, but it hasn't been legally restricted before. Trying to change the rules now might not be fair or practical.
  3. A new way to share revenue from AI outputs with creators might be good, but it would need new laws to make it happen. Limiting access to information in new ways could harm society as a whole.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
Technically Optimistic 59 implied HN points 24 May 24
  1. Celebrities like Scarlett Johansson are facing challenges with AI replicating their voices and likenesses without consent, raising important questions about ownership and rights.
  2. Actors like Clark Gregg are advocating for the protection of their biometric data, pushing for the rights to own and control their scans, and be compensated for their use.
  3. The intersection of technology and personal identity is a complex issue that prompts reflection on what it means to be human in a world where even famous personalities are at risk of having their identities manipulated.
Cybernetic Forests 199 implied HN points 07 Jan 24
  1. The concept of copyright, especially related to AI and generative technology, is facing significant challenges and debates as seen in the case of Mickey Mouse entering the public domain.
  2. The extension of copyright laws, influenced by powerful entities like Big Tech and Disney, has complicated the landscape of creative ownership, legal protection, and digital expression.
  3. There is a growing need for proactive data rights, decentralized digital infrastructure, and a reevaluation of the role of copyright in shaping the future of technology and community interactions.
Democratizing Automation 142 implied HN points 06 Mar 24
  1. The definition and principles of open-source software, such as the lack of usage-based restrictions, have evolved over time to adapt to modern technologies like AI.
  2. There is a need for clarity in identifying different types of open language models, such as distinguishing between models with open training data and those with limited information available.
  3. Open ML faces challenges related to transparency, safety concerns, and complexities around licensing and copyright, but narratives about the benefits of openness are crucial for political momentum and support.
Technology Made Simple 219 implied HN points 12 Aug 23
  1. Data laundering involves converting stolen data to be used illegally or sold as legitimate data.
  2. Tech companies, like Stability AI, can get around artist copyright by using creative methods with AI art.
  3. It's essential to ensure fair compensation for artists and creators whose work is used, and to establish better regulations for copyright protection in data usage.
ailogblog 119 implied HN points 12 Jan 24
  1. The energy consumption of generative AI for tasks like image generation and question answering can be significant.
  2. The use of generative AI may impact freelance job opportunities for illustrators and writers.
  3. There is uncertainty about the future of generative AI, with questions about its social costs, technological advancements, and ethical considerations.
Marcus on AI 98 HN points 06 Mar 24
  1. OpenAI's mission of being open-source and collaborative has shifted over the years, leading to concerns about transparency and integrity.
  2. Email communications between OpenAI and Elon Musk raised doubts about the organization's commitment to its stated mission of open-sourcing technology.
  3. Recent incidents of covert racism, copyright infringements, and violent content generated by OpenAI's technology have raised questions about the ethical impact of their work.
Alex's Personal Blog 131 implied HN points 04 Jan 24
  1. OpenAI is incorporating internet content, including from the New York Times, into its AI models
  2. OpenAI is making deals with publishers to mitigate legal risks and continue using content
  3. The New York Times initiated a lawsuit against OpenAI for using its material without compensation, highlighting the importance of fair compensation in technology innovation
DARK FUTURA 120 HN points 20 Apr 23
  1. Record labels are panicking over an AI-generated hit single that sounds like famous artists.
  2. The use of AI to replicate voices of famous personalities is raising legal and ethical concerns.
  3. Generative AI advancements are changing industries, from music to content creation, leading to concerns about job displacement and ethical boundaries.
Dada Drummer Almanach 202 implied HN points 16 May 23
  1. Copyright lawsuits in the music industry can have varying outcomes, like with the cases of Marvin Gaye's songs and recent hits.
  2. Ed Sheeran's legal victory in a copyright case highlighted the debate over common elements in music.
  3. Sheeran's argument about pop songs being similar, written quickly, and prone to plagiarism raised questions about the future of AI-generated music and copyright laws.
SatPost by Trung Phan 53 implied HN points 05 Jan 24
  1. Disney lost copyright on the 1928 'Steamboat Willie' version of Mickey Mouse, showing their contradictory relationship with public domain.
  2. Disney is a major user of public domain content but also supports copyright extension laws to protect their own works.
  3. The tension between copyright and creativity lies in finding the right balance for how long protections for works should last.
do clouds feel vertigo? 99 implied HN points 08 Apr 23
  1. AI is creating new divisions in society, leading to more debates about our future and survival. It's making conversations about technology very heated and complex.
  2. Deepfakes and manipulated images are changing how we perceive reality. We can no longer trust everything we see, which can have big implications for privacy and reputation.
  3. In a world full of uncertainty, having a clear mind and being skeptical about information is essential. Embracing ambiguity instead of fearing it can help us navigate changes better.
The Leftovers 139 implied HN points 05 May 22
  1. The Author Online often struggles with balancing professionalism and personal reification in the digital space, leading to incoherences in their demands for recognition and payment.
  2. Social media can intensify the need for constant self-promotion and oversharing among Authors Online, blurring the line between personal authenticity and commodification.
  3. Some Authors Online are more focused on protecting their income and copyright rather than advocating for broader benefits like Universal Basic Income, which could support a wider range of writers.
The Leftovers 59 implied HN points 09 Nov 22
  1. Copyright laws can hinder access to culture for those who cannot afford books, and book piracy can actually create more readers.
  2. Making a living solely off writing books is tough for most authors, who often rely on other activities like teaching or editing to sustain themselves.
  3. The publishing industry heavily relies on copyright laws, but the quality of literature may not necessarily suffer if there were fewer books published.
Cosmic Column 71 implied HN points 07 Apr 23
  1. Intellectual property is hard to protect and control, making ownership challenging.
  2. Generative AI is making it easier to mass produce ripoffs, threatening traditional intellectual property control.
  3. The rise of generative AI may devalue creativity and challenge the long-term viability of intellectual property as we know it.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 21 Nov 22
  1. Data Laundering involves converting stolen data to make it seem legitimate for different uses.
  2. Big Tech companies use non-profits to create datasets/models for research, then monetize them into APIs without compensating artists.
  3. There is a double standard between how Tech companies treat music and visual art, with considerations about replicating music, copyright standards, and the ethical aspects of compensation.
Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM 19 implied HN points 11 Aug 23
  1. Big Tech companies are finding clever ways to use internet data for their AI projects, even with new copyright laws in place.
  2. Semiconductor companies are developing chips specifically for the Chinese market that almost meet US rules, showing a creative approach to regulations.
  3. Generative AI tools like GoogleBot and GPTBot are accessing online content unless website owners clearly say no, which raises questions about data usage.
Gradient Ascendant 11 implied HN points 29 Dec 23
  1. The proposal suggests creating a system similar to ASCAP for generative AI to manage and compensate for derivative works.
  2. The system would involve licensing derivative works and tracking them to ensure compliance.
  3. An open-source AI model could be used to determine if something is a derivative work, while allowing for human oversight and appeals.
Fight to Repair 19 implied HN points 07 Oct 22
  1. The iPhone 14 Plus is as repairable as the basic iPhone 14, following a more sustainable design approach.
  2. Canada is considering reforming digital lock rules to allow repair exceptions, benefitting consumers, farmers, and innovation.
  3. Academics are urging consumers to repair clothing to reduce environmental impact caused by the fast fashion cycle.
On Looking 39 implied HN points 09 Apr 22
  1. Discourses of style and copyright emerged around the same time, intertwining romantic ideas of creativity with economic and legal rights for authors.
  2. Style interacts with the market through constraints like deadlines and budgets, impacting the types of illustrations that are in demand.
  3. Understanding the economic aspects of style can empower artists in a commercial world, providing agency and prompting critical reflection on their practice.
Fight to Repair 19 implied HN points 13 Sep 22
  1. The DMCA Section 1201 is facing a trial for potentially violating the 1st Amendment, as it imposes restrictions on free speech regarding digital locks and copyrighted work.
  2. iFixit outlined six key factors that influence the repairability of products, such as ease of access to batteries and overall repairability, which can impact whether a product is repairable or not.
  3. Steam Deck repair centers are now open for users to send in their devices for covered warranty repairs at no additional cost, following provided instructions and diagnostics.
For your consideration 1 HN point 13 Mar 24
  1. Open Source AI models need a way to remain competitive while respecting copyrighted training data and compensating content creators.
  2. A performance-based royalty approach for AI models could help bypass training payment disputes, align royalties with actual use, and ensure stable costs for publishers.
  3. Collaborative solutions that integrate Open Source adaptability with fair compensation systems inspired by the music industry can pave the way for a sustainable ecosystem where Open Source AI can thrive alongside copyrighted content.
The Intersection 1 HN point 22 Feb 24
  1. Differentiating between creators and artists involves a deep exploration of generating versus creating, as highlighted through the example of Hayao Miyazaki's unique filmmaking process.
  2. The ethical considerations surrounding AI-generated content raise questions about permission, originality, and the boundaries of creative practices.
  3. The evolution of technology has blurred lines in creativity, introducing complex discussions on fair use, copyright infringement, and the essence of true artistic expression.