The hottest Copyright Substack posts right now

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The koan of an open-source LLM

Democratizing Automation • 142 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Copyright Regulation Models
  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.

OpenAI’s “Own Goal”

Marcus on AI • 98 HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Copyright Racism Innovation
  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.

Thoughts About a Mouse

Cybernetic Forests • 199 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Copyright Generative AI Digital Infrastructure
  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.

My non-prediction for generative AI in 2024

ailogblog • 119 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Ethics Copyright Technology Adoption
  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.

Yes, we took your stuff and are making a killing. Why aren't you happy when we offer you scraps?

Alex's Personal Blog • 131 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Copyright Innovation Capitalism
  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

Disney Loves (and Hates) Public Domain

SatPost by Trung Phan • 53 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
💼 Business Copyright Entertainment Laws Digital Creativity
  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.

Data Laundering: How Stability AI managed to get millions of copyrighted art works without paying artists [Finance Fridays]

Technology Made Simple • 219 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Copyright Tech industry Data Privacy Artificial Intelligence
  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.

Got to Give It Up

Dada Drummer Almanach • 202 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🎶 Music Copyright Songwriting Plagiarism Artists Popularity
  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.

Record Labels Panic as A.I. Generated Song Becomes Hit Single

DARK FUTURA • 120 HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Copyright Music Industry Legal issues Ethics
  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.

An Immodest Proposal to OpenAI and the NYT

Gradient Ascendant • 11 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Copyright AI Ethics
  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.

Generative AI is the final nail in intellectual property's coffin

Cosmic Column • 71 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Intellectual Property Content creation Copyright
  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.

The vanity and banality of the Author Online

The Leftovers • 139 implied HN points • 05 May 22
📚 Literature Authors Social media Copyright Professionalism
  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.

Harmonizing Creation and Compensation: The Future of Open Source AI in a Copyrighted World

For your consideration • 1 HN point • 13 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Copyright Open Source Data Management Innovation
  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.

Copyright isn't your friend

The Leftovers • 59 implied HN points • 09 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Books Literature Copyright Authors Piracy
  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.

Is Big Tech using Data Laundering to cheat artists?[Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 21 Nov 22
🕹 Technology Art AI Data Copyright Ethics
  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.

Creators vs. Artists

The Intersection • 1 HN point • 22 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Ethics Creativity Technology Copyright Artists
  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.

Fight to Repair Daily: Friday, October 7 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 07 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Repairability Copyright Consumer Rights Environmental Impact Regulations
  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.

Fight to Repair Daily: Monday, September 12, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 13 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Repairs Copyright E-commerce Electronics Fashion
  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.

The next phase of the copyright-AI wars

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Copyright Legal Battles Language Models Internet
  1. The legal battles around copyright and generative AI are escalating, with the New York Times suing OpenAI and Microsoft for alleged copyright infringement.
  2. Many examples in the lawsuit involve large language models generating text that resembles NYT content, raising questions about whether it constitutes copying.
  3. Understanding how AI prediction machines like LLMs work is crucial in evaluating copyright infringement claims, especially when models generate text probabilistically from publicly available data.

Can AI works get copyright protection? (Redux)

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🕹 Technology AI Copyright Digital Art AI Tools
  1. Copyright protection for AI-generated works is a complex issue that raises questions about authorship, ownership, and the role of AI in the creative process.
  2. The distinction between human creativity and AI technology is blurred in digital works like music, photography, and writing, where AI tools play a significant role.
  3. Determining authorship of AI-generated works involves considering the fine line between human input in guiding AI creations and the independent creative ability of machines.

Fight to Repair Daily: August 10, 2022

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 10 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Repair Subscription Copyright
  1. The throw-away economy is harmful to the environment and resource allocation, emphasizing the need to shift towards a circular economy of reuse, repair, and recycle.
  2. In a subscription-based world, it's crucial to maintain the 'right to own' to prevent a future where ownership and property rights are eroded by overwhelming subscriptions.
  3. The rise of second life markets for refurbished goods and the need for legislation to compel manufacturers to cooperate more with repairers highlights the importance of extending the lifespan of products.

Begun the Copyright Wars have

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Copyright AI Chatbots Data Privacy
  1. Comedian Sarah Silverman and others have filed a class action suit against OpenAI and Meta for alleged copyright infringement related to their works being used in training datasets for AI models like ChatGPT and LLaMA.
  2. This particular case is one of the first instances of copyright disputes emerging about written work involving AI technology.
  3. Despite attempts to prompt the AI model, ChatGPT did not directly reproduce content from the copyrighted books, leading to questions about how these AI systems were trained and what information they have access to.

How should we deal with copyright and AI?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Copyright Training Compensation
  1. Copyright issues arise with AI training models because of the potential use of copy-protected content by generative AI providers.
  2. Fair use is a complex concept involving the balance between free speech, copyright protection, and the implications for AI training.
  3. An economic argument suggests that balancing creator rights with AI innovation can be achieved through a system that compensates content creators for lost profits due to AI use.