arxiv_ai 95% Match Legal/Ethical Analysis Paper Legal scholars,Policymakers,AI developers,Content creators,Copyright holders 2 weeks ago

Unfair Learning: GenAI Exceptionalism and Copyright Law

ai-safety › fairness

📄 Abstract

Abstract: This paper challenges the argument that generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is entitled to broad immunity from copyright law for reproducing copyrighted works without authorization due to a fair use defense. It examines fair use legal arguments and eight distinct substantive arguments, contending that every legal and substantive argument favoring fair use for GenAI applies equally, if not more so, to humans. Therefore, granting GenAI exceptional privileges in this domain is legally and logically inconsistent with withholding broad fair use exemptions from individual humans. It would mean no human would need to pay for virtually any copyright work again. The solution is to take a circumspect view of any fair use claim for mass copyright reproduction by any entity and focus on the first principles of whether permitting such exceptionalism for GenAI promotes science and the arts.

Authors (1)

David Atkinson

Submitted

April 1, 2025

arXiv Category

cs.CY

arXiv PDF

Key Contributions

This paper critically examines the argument for GenAI exceptionalism from copyright law, contending that fair use arguments favoring GenAI apply equally, if not more so, to humans. It argues against granting GenAI broad immunity, asserting that such exceptionalism is legally and logically inconsistent and could undermine the purpose of copyright law by disincentivizing human creativity.

Business Value

Provides a critical legal perspective that can inform policy, regulation, and business practices related to generative AI, potentially preventing widespread copyright disputes and ensuring a more equitable creative landscape.

Paper Metadata

Innovation Type

Legal Argumentation and Analysis

Deployment Feasibility

N/A (This is a legal/ethical analysis paper, not a technical deployment).

Limitations Addressed

Addresses the perceived legal exceptionalism and broad fair use claims often made for generative AI, arguing for consistent legal treatment compared to human creators.

Technical Tags

generative AIcopyright lawfair useintellectual propertylegal argumentsAI exceptionalismcopyright infringementmass reproductionlegal consistencyscience and arts promotion

Research Topics

AI EthicsIntellectual Property LawCopyright and Generative AIAI RegulationLegal Philosophy

Methods & Architectures

Legal analysisArgumentationComparative analysis (GenAI vs. humans) Generative AI (GenAI)

Applications & Tasks

Intellectual Property Law Copyright Generative AI Development and Use Legal immunity for GenAIFair use defense for AICopyright infringement by AI Analyzing fair use claims for GenAIDetermining copyright liability for AI-generated content

Related Fields

LawIntellectual PropertyArtificial Intelligence EthicsCopyright LawPhilosophy

Keywords

Generative AIcopyrightfair useintellectual propertyAI lawlegal analysisAI exceptionalismcopyright infringementAI ethicsregulation

Academic Context

#AI Ethics#Intellectual Property Law#Copyright and Generative AI#AI Regulation#Legal Philosophy

Commercial Potential

Target Industries

TechnologyMediaPublishingLegal Services

Use Case Examples

Debates on whether AI-generated art infringes on existing copyrights.Legal challenges against AI companies for using copyrighted data for training.Formulating new copyright regulations for AI-generated content.

Competitive Edge

Offers a counter-argument to the notion of AI exceptionalism in copyright law, advocating for a principled and consistent application of existing legal frameworks.

Production Readiness

Maturity Level

Conceptual/Legal

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