In the age of digital, you also see AI-generated images all over your workspace from marketing to design and media. There is a growing legal and ethical question about the use of these images, specifically as it relates to when watermarks are removed. Usually, watermarks are a method to give credit and secure intellectual property rights on digital media. In this article, we investigate whether people can use or firms remove watermarks of AI-generated images that require dealing with it from a legal point to ethical and practical aspects.
What is a Watermark?
A watermark is simply a logo, text, or pattern displayed on an image or document that identifies the creator (system) and aids in protecting copyrighted images. Depending on their intent, watermarks can be anything from subtle manipulations that make the original content visible to bolder marks that impose heavily onto the manifesto. Even AI services use watermarks to secure and restrain the distribution rights of their generated images.
Legal Considerations
Intellectual Property Rights
The biggest legal issue when it comes to watermarks using AI-generated images is the intellectual property (IP) of a watermark. Such images would normally be protected by copyright, of course – and this right allows the creator author to control their use or share. However, removing a watermark without permission might result in copyright violations that come with legal hassles.
Copyright ownership: Who owns the copyright in AI-generated images is complex. Ultimately this is up to the programmers of AI, what the user agrees on (and also how terms are stated), and even where an individual utilizes their AI.
Users frequently agree to a license that stipulates what the AI-produced images may be used for Some of these agreements may also explicitly disallow the removal or altering of watermarks.
Fair Use and Exceptions
Some jurisdictions have exceptions to copyright laws, like the fair use doctrine in the United States which allows limited but unauthorized accessibilities and uses of copyrighted material without permission. Nevertheless, those exceptions usually do not apply to the specific and typical use-case of removing watermarks as this will neither qualify for a transformational work (as with music spoilers) nor is educational or criticizable/satirical.
Book a Demo with FancyTech and learn about AI-generated photos. Book a demo with us today.
Ethical Considerations
While this may be in line with current legislation, stripping watermarks from AI-generated images can arguably still be classed as unethical behavior because it can fail to acknowledge the rights and benefits of authors or platforms that helped create an image.
Supporting Creators: A lot of AI tools are made by artists, developers, or corporations that put a massive amount of time and money into creating and training these models. Deleting watermarks will do them a disservice which undervalues their rights and contributes.
Authenticity – Using an un-watermarked image of mine for the wrong purpose (image source and rights) can create confusion about where this photo comes from/(my brand/product), and how is it used, so people may misuse my images in false contexts
Practical Considerations
Watermark removal: This may make an image more aesthetically pleasing, or assert ownership, but it can also have functional downsides.
Possibility of Legal Suits: Watermark removal can ensnare others in lengthy legal battles, which may result from hefty settlements or reputational harm.
Loss of Quality and Integrity: It can lead to a loss in the image quality or otherwise affect the professional look or even data integrity in case text/images are altered.
Ethical Consideration of Generated Images with AI
These rely on best practices; consider using the following guidelines for responsibly-created AI-generated images:
Fetching License Terms: Know the license terms, Where ASG-Images are used they will be covered by a licensing agreement which should be read through carefully before use.
Request Permission: If you require a non-watermarked image for any reason, please speak to the copyright holder so that they may discuss your needs or contact you if we have an updated version of their license agreement.
A good etiquette practice to follow when using accompanying AI-generated images would be to properly attribute the source of an image (even if it is not required by law): this way one may actively acknowledge proper attribution, which can help give credit back to creatorsNegligence in lack of transparency.
Summary
Problems with removing watermarks from AI-generated imagesThis sensitive topic is a complex potpourri of law, ethics, and applicability to different types of watermarking. Without specific permission to use the photo, this is likely a violation of copyright law. It is also ethically flawed as it shows a lack of respect for creators and because it can provide wrong information about the origin or rights attached to an image. Realistically, this can result in major legal implications and a permanent impact on professional credibility. Hence, watermarks ought to be an evolved digital element of copyright and content management in the AI times when most images are going to be generated by machines unless we pay heed that it’s a legal right as well as ethical.
Book a Demo with FancyTech and learn about AI-generated photos. Book a demo with us today.