The situation regarding copyright in the field of artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly tense. Over the past weeks, several major companies have been involved in high-profile lawsuits over copyright issues related to the use of unlicensed content. One of the reasons for this situation is the lack of a reliable mechanism for tracking rights to content.
Causes of the AI Copyright Crisis
Recent cases, such as those involving Anthropic and Reddit, Stability AI and Getty, and Midjourney and Disney, point to a systemic issue where AI models are built on vast amounts of intellectual property whose rights have never been licensed. Many AI firms adopted a 'steal first, litigate later' strategy, leading to enormous losses for individual content creators.
How Blockchain Can Solve the Problem
Blockchain can serve as a public registry capable of addressing copyright issues in AI. Creators can register their intellectual property on the blockchain, establishing an unalterable record of rights. This process allows for automated royalty payments through smart contracts. Moreover, blockchain provides necessary decentralization and the ability to track the origin of content with a precise verification of usage rights.
Prospects for Content Creators and AI
It is important to clarify that AI itself is not the villain here, but rather the approaches to its use. Many creators are willing to collaborate with AI if they are fairly compensated for the use of their materials. Utilizing blockchain can turn the current opposition into a mutually beneficial partnership, where creators receive transparent payouts, and AI developers gain access to quality training data without breaching copyright.
The increasing number of lawsuits serves as a warning sign for AI companies. Implementing blockchain as a solution could prevent conflicts and establish a more transparent ecosystem for all participants. The future of copyright in AI should be fair and sustainable.
