A folk-pop song, “I know, You’re Not Mine,” created by an AI artist named Jacub, has been banned from Sweden’s official music charts despite topping the Spotify charts with millions of streams. The IFPI Sweden made the decision due to the song being primarily AI-generated. The producers, “Team Jacub,” claim that AI was merely a tool used by human creators, and have argued about the artistic value of the song. This decision contrasts with other organizations like Billboard, which allow AI-generated tracks on some charts, and reflects growing concerns within Sweden’s music industry about the impact of AI on human creativity and revenue.
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On January 1st, a new wave of artistic works entered the public domain, marking the end of their 95-year copyright terms. Iconic characters such as Betty Boop and Blondie, along with Mickey Mouse’s dog Pluto (initially known as Rover), were among the many works that became freely available for use. In addition, the first appearances of Nancy Drew, Sam Spade, and Miss Marple in book form also entered the public domain. This year’s entries also include the Marx Brothers’ “Animal Crackers,” the German film “The Blue Angel,” and several classic songs like “Embraceable You” and “Georgia on My Mind.”
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New York Times sues Perplexity AI for ‘illegal’ copying of content, and this feels like a significant moment in the ongoing debate about AI and copyright. The core of the issue is pretty straightforward: The New York Times is accusing Perplexity AI of essentially lifting their content, repackaging it, and sometimes even making stuff up while attributing it to the NYT. It’s like a digital version of plagiarism, but on a massive, automated scale.
The crux of the matter seems to be that Perplexity is not just quoting and citing, which is generally permissible, but rather, is actively reproducing and re-presenting the NYT’s articles.… Continue reading
The United States Postal Service maintains a comprehensive system for addressing mail, using a standardized format to ensure efficient delivery. This system relies on a two-letter abbreviation for each state, territory, and associated region, such as “CA” for California. Additionally, postal codes, or ZIP codes, are crucial for sorting mail, directing it to specific geographic areas for final distribution. This comprehensive system is essential for organizing and ensuring timely delivery of mail across the country and to international locations.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has drawn criticism for a social media campaign that used Pokémon imagery to promote ICE deportation raids. The campaign, which included a video set to the Pokémon theme song and mocked-up “cards” featuring arrested individuals, was met with backlash, with users questioning whether DHS obtained permission from Nintendo. This move follows a reported media offensive to bolster the image of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and also mirrors previous instances of the DHS and the Trump administration using unlicensed intellectual property without permission. The use of unauthorized IP has previously resulted in complaints and legal action.
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Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has withdrawn a documentary scheduled for screening on October 7th. According to reports, the festival management cited copyright issues as the reason for rescinding the invitation. Specifically, the filmmakers reportedly did not receive permission from Hamas to use certain video footage. Cameron Bailey, speaking for TIFF, confirmed the decision, highlighting the importance of adhering to copyright regulations.
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To combat the misuse of AI-generated deepfakes, the Danish government plans to grant citizens property rights over their likeness and voice. This proposed legislation would allow individuals to request the removal of deepfakes featuring their image or voice from hosting platforms. The bill, which has cross-party support and is expected to pass this fall, aims to protect artists, public figures, and ordinary people from digital identity theft, addressing concerns highlighted by instances like AI-generated music mimicking popular artists. Further legislation is planned to potentially fine companies that fail to comply with takedown requests, reflecting Denmark’s commitment to both freedom of speech and individual rights in the age of generative AI.
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The Danish government is planning to amend copyright law to protect individuals from AI-generated deepfakes by granting them ownership over their likeness, voice, and facial features. This proposed law, which enjoys cross-party support, aims to combat the misuse of digital imitations. Once approved, the legislation will allow individuals to demand the removal of unauthorized deepfake content and could result in compensation for those affected, with potential for severe fines for non-compliant tech platforms. The government intends to use its upcoming EU presidency to share these plans and encourage other European countries to adopt similar protections, hoping to send a clear message about individual rights in the age of AI.
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In a recent legal victory for Meta, a judge ruled in favor of the company in a copyright lawsuit filed by authors who alleged their works were used without permission to train Meta’s AI system. The judge determined that the authors failed to provide sufficient evidence of market harm caused by Meta’s AI, classifying the use of copyrighted material as “fair use”. This ruling follows a similar decision in favor of Anthropic, another AI company, though the judge acknowledged the complexities of the copyright issues surrounding AI training. Furthermore, the judge expressed sympathy for the authors’ argument that AI models may undermine the market for creative works.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood