Theory and practice of intellectual property
№ 4-5 / 2023

ISSN (Print) 2308-0361
ISSN (Online) 2519-2744

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33731/4-52023.289803

Submitted     2023-08-20
Accepted      2023-09-18
Published      2023-10-25

Do generative artificial intelligence systems dream of electric sheep? The concept and conditions of protection of objects generated by generative artificial intelligence systems in Ukraine

Kostiantyn Zerov
Ph.D. (Law), Assistant Professor of the Intellectual Property and Information Law Department of the Educational, Scientific Institute of Law, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv; Senior research fellow of the Intellectual Property Scientific Research Institute of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine; specialist at the Scientific and Educational Centre for Intellectual Property; attorney
Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2916-7528

Abstract
The publication provides an overview of the novelties of the Ukrainian legislation «On Copyright and Related Rights» (2023) regarding the peculiarities of protection of non-original objects generated by a computer program (generative artificial intelligence system) using sui generis law, in particular through the prism of exceptions and limitations in copyright.

Ukraine has introduced one of the world’s first models of the legal protection of AI output through a special sui generis legal regime. The author determines that the legislator sets forth three conditions for a non-original object generated by a computer program (generative artificial intelligence system) to be protected by law: The AI output must differ from existing similar objects; the AI output must be generated as a result of the operation of a computer program without the direct participation of an individual in the generation of this object; and the rights of third parties must be respected when generating a non-original object.

It is established that the existing exceptions and restrictions in Ukrainian copyright (free making of copies of works to search for text and data included in or related to scientific publications for research purposes, and temporary reproduction) will allow limited operation of generative artificial intelligence systems. However, it is necessary to consider that AI outputs do not unreasonably restrict the legitimate interests of the relevant copyright owners.

In practice, the functioning of generative artificial intelligence systems demonstrates one of the general principles of civil law – freedom of contract through self-regulation of the distribution of intellectual property rights to AI outputs. The assumption is made that it is not necessary to establish the «default» attribution of rights to such objects at the legislative level.

The author suggests that in the future, depending on the requirements of sustainable economic development and the balance of interests between society and the relevant subjects of law, the terms of the legal protection of rights to AI outputs may be changed.

The author provides recommendations for improving this area’s legal regulation and enhancing law enforcement’s efficiency.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, copyright, sui generis, AI-output

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