Polar Bears and Piracy: How AI is Challenging Traditional Copyright with Dan Miller

Have an idea or tip? Send us a text! The intersection of copyright law and artificial intelligence represents one of the most challenging legal frontiers of our digital era. In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. C. Daniel Miller (The Copyright Detective) unpacks the complex world of intellectual property rights when machines can generate content indistinguishable from human creation. From his unique background spanning higher education, NASA projects, and over a decade in copyright clearance, Dr. Miller offers a balanced perspective on AI as both an innovative tool and a potential legal minefield. He explains that while copyright fundamentally exists to encourage creativity by granting creators exclusive rights, AI systems have disrupted this framework by training on millions of works without permission or compensation. Perhaps most surprising is the current legal status of AI-generated content: images created solely through prompts remain uncopyrightable according to the US Copyright Office. Neither the user nor the AI can claim ownership, effectively placing such creations in the public domain. Meanwhile, major lawsuits loom large over the industry, with Disney and Universal Studios taking on Midjourney for creating near-perfect replicas of iconic characters, and potential damages in other cases potentially reaching billions. For creators concerned about protecting their work, Dr. Miller emphasizes the critical importance of copyright registration witA Case Study In Corporate Fear "A Case Study in Corporate Fear" deconstructs how fear transforms successful... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyMediaclip Mediaclip strives to continuously enhance the user experience while dramatically increasing revenue. Independent Photo Imagers IPI is a member + trade association and a cooperative buying group in the photo + print industry. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Visual 1st Visual 1st is the premier global conference focused on the photo and video ecosystem. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Sign up for the Dead Pixels Society newsletter at http://bit.ly/DeadPixelsSignUp. Contact us at gary@thedeadpixelssociety.com Visit our LinkedIn group, Photo/Digital Imaging Network, and Facebook group, The Dead Pixels Society. Leave a review on Apple and Podchaser. Are you interested in being a guest? Click here for details. Hosted and produced by Gary Pageau Edited by Olivia Pageau Announcer: Erin Manning