Solutions from Ukraine: Ukrainian IP Office grants copyright to AI-generated images for first time

The Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property recently issued a copyright registration certificate for the first time for works incorporating images created by artificial intelligence.

The institution's press service reported that.

What is the problem?

Art has always reflected human imagination and creativity, but technological advancements are now witnessing the emergence of a new form of art—AI-generated images. These images are created using algorithms and artificial intelligence, blurring the line between human and machine creativity.

The usage of AI-generated images in modern art has opened up endless possibilities for artists and has sparked discussions about the role and definition of art. This art form challenges traditional notions of authorship and raises questions about ownership and copyright.

What is the solution?

Recently, the Ukrainian IP Office made a groundbreaking decision by granting copyright to AI-generated images for the first time.

This move by the Ukrainian IP Office is a significant step in recognizing AI-generated images' artistic value and originality. It acknowledges the contributions of artificial intelligence in the creation process and gives legal protection to these works of art. This decision sets a precedent for other countries to follow and paves the way for a new frontier in the world of art.

Moreover, granting copyright to AI-generated images also means that the artists who create them can now own and control their work. This will not only protect their rights but also encourage them to continue exploring and experimenting with this innovative medium. It also opens up opportunities for artists to commercialize and monetize their work, adding a new dimension to the art market.

In addition, the Ukrainian IP Office's decision emphasizes the significance of keeping up with fast-paced technological advancements. With the constant evolution of artificial intelligence and its creation of increasingly complex and detailed images, a strong legal structure is necessary to safeguard the rights of those involved in the creation process.

How does it work?

Therefore, a certificate has been granted for the compilation of images titled "Easter cards," which utilized pictures generated by a computer program. The collection's editor is Marharyta Boyko.

"Today, the use of generative artificial intelligence is considered as a new aid for the development of the creative industry, and not only as a threat to authors and this industry," Liubov Maidanyk, deputy director of the IP Office, said.

Ukrainian IP Office emphasized that Ukraine's legislation grants copyright protection only to images created by a person. If the images are created only with AI, no copyright arises. At the same time, the law "On copyright and related rights" makes it possible to define sui generis rights to such images.

Moreover, the IP Office has granted certificates for a children's book and a collection of poems featuring AI's illustrations. These titles are "The Enchanted Adventure of Rufus" by Anna Khorolska and "Poems of the Unfinished War" by Andrii Sytnikov.

"Nowadays, generative artificial intelligence is becoming an assistant in creating illustrations for various types of works. At the same time, copyright protection applies only to the part a person creates," Liubov Maidanyk, deputy director of the IP Office, noted.

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