On October 31, a group of professors and researchers submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Dr. Stephen Thaler’s petition in Thaler v. Perlmutter. They called on the Court to recognize copyright protection for works produced by artificial intelligence.
“Excluding AI-generated works from copyright protection threatens the foundations of American creativity, innovation, and economic growth.”
Professors Shlomit Yanisky-Ravid, Lawrence Lessig, and others argued that the lower court’s stance—demanding human authorship—ignores the broader intent and spirit of the Copyright Act. They emphasized that the law should evolve alongside technological advancement to preserve the creative and economic vitality of the nation.
Dr. Stephen Thaler seeks recognition for A Recent Entrance to Paradise, an artwork created by his AI system, the Creativity Machine. The U.S. Copyright Office previously denied registration, citing the absence of a human author. The professors’ filing challenges this decision as outdated and inconsistent with the goals of copyright law.
The case highlights a growing debate over the role of artificial intelligence in authorship and intellectual property rights, potentially redefining the boundaries of creative ownership in the digital age.
Author’s Summary: Legal scholars urge the Supreme Court to modernize copyright law by extending protection to AI-created works, reflecting technological progress and preserving U.S. creative leadership.