Copyright and AI image creation: What creatives need to know
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 8:55 am
Copyright for AI-generated images is a complex issue. This is due, on the one hand, to the type of data the models rely on and, on the other, to the fact that this is a relatively new area and the legal situation surrounding it is not yet fully clarified. In fact, AI-generated images do not currently enjoy the same level of protection as human-created works.
In short, if you generate images with an AI tool, you don't receive a copyright to the result, but rather a right of use. Therefore, there are no copyrights on AI-generated images, as they are not the personal and intellectual creations of a human author.
What should you consider when creating images with AI? The following information is qatar phone number data intended to raise awareness when creating images with AI, but it is neither exhaustive nor does it constitute legal advice. If in doubt, seek legal advice.
Copyright for human-created content
In principle, copyright lies with the people who create creative content. Photographers, artists, and designers generally own the copyright to their images.
AI as a tool
AI image tools are most often used as tools to manipulate images. In such cases, copyright remains with the person who controls and uses the AI tools.
Copyright for AI-generated content
The situation becomes more complicated when images are generated entirely by AI systems. In most jurisdictions, copyright is often not recognized in these cases because no human creation is involved.
The role of data and training data sets
The quality of AI images depends on the data on which the models were trained. The copyright for the training data usually lies with the creators of that data, i.e., the individuals or companies that own the models.
Be careful with copyrighted content
Caution is advised when using AI tools when copyrighted content is involved. This means that unauthorized generation of images based on copyrighted content can have legal consequences. For example, you cannot simply sell AI-generated images that contain copyrighted elements, such as a well-known logo.
Licensing and permits
If you create images with AI and use them for commercial purposes, you should ensure that you have the necessary licenses and permissions. Some AI platforms offer special licenses to govern the use of the generated images. However, you should first check whether these licenses are legally recognized.
In short, if you generate images with an AI tool, you don't receive a copyright to the result, but rather a right of use. Therefore, there are no copyrights on AI-generated images, as they are not the personal and intellectual creations of a human author.
What should you consider when creating images with AI? The following information is qatar phone number data intended to raise awareness when creating images with AI, but it is neither exhaustive nor does it constitute legal advice. If in doubt, seek legal advice.
Copyright for human-created content
In principle, copyright lies with the people who create creative content. Photographers, artists, and designers generally own the copyright to their images.
AI as a tool
AI image tools are most often used as tools to manipulate images. In such cases, copyright remains with the person who controls and uses the AI tools.
Copyright for AI-generated content
The situation becomes more complicated when images are generated entirely by AI systems. In most jurisdictions, copyright is often not recognized in these cases because no human creation is involved.
The role of data and training data sets
The quality of AI images depends on the data on which the models were trained. The copyright for the training data usually lies with the creators of that data, i.e., the individuals or companies that own the models.
Be careful with copyrighted content
Caution is advised when using AI tools when copyrighted content is involved. This means that unauthorized generation of images based on copyrighted content can have legal consequences. For example, you cannot simply sell AI-generated images that contain copyrighted elements, such as a well-known logo.
Licensing and permits
If you create images with AI and use them for commercial purposes, you should ensure that you have the necessary licenses and permissions. Some AI platforms offer special licenses to govern the use of the generated images. However, you should first check whether these licenses are legally recognized.