Google Takes a Stand: Shields Generative AI Users from Copyright Disputes

Highlights

• Google commits to protecting users of generative AI from intellectual property disputes.
• This aligns Google with industry peers like Microsoft and Adobe in providing such assurances.
• Concerns have been raised about using creators’ work to train AI systems.
• Google claims to be the first to offer a comprehensive indemnity covering both types of claims.
• The policy covers software like Vertex AI and Duet AI, but doesn’t mention Bard.
• It won’t apply if users intentionally infringe on others’ rights.
• Lawsuits related to generative AI have mostly targeted companies, not individual users.
• AI developers argue using internet-scraped data is fair use under U.S. copyright law.

In a noteworthy move, Google has declared its intent to stand by users employing generative artificial intelligence systems on its Google Cloud and Workspace platforms. This commitment aligns Google with other industry giants like Microsoft and Adobe, who have also made similar assurances.

Tech titans like Google have been heavily investing in generative AI, striving to seamlessly integrate it into their array of products. However, this push has raised concerns among prominent creators who claim that the utilization of their work for training AI systems, as well as the content produced by these systems, encroaches upon their intellectual property rights.

According to a company spokesperson, Google is taking the lead in the industry by offering a comprehensive, dual-pronged approach to indemnity. This coverage specifically addresses both types of claims that may arise.

Under this new policy, Google‘s pledge extends to software, including the Vertex AI development platform and the Duet AI system, which generates text and images within Google Workspace and Cloud programs. Notably, the press release did not mention Bard, Google‘s more renowned generative AI chatbot program.It’s important to note that this indemnity won’t apply if users intentionally use generated output to infringe upon the rights of others.

While recent lawsuits concerning generative AI have primarily targeted companies that own these systems, individual end users have largely been spared. AI defendants contend that employing training data scraped from the internet qualifies as fair use under U.S. copyright law.

This step by Google not only underscores the company’s dedication to supporting its users but also signifies a pivotal moment in addressing copyright concerns within the burgeoning field of generative AI. It will be intriguing to observe how this commitment evolves and influences the wider technological landscape.