In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer an emerging technology—it’s part of everyday life for artists, musicians, writers, photographers, and businesses. AI tools can create songs, images, articles, and even video in seconds. But they also raise serious questions:
- Can AI use your work to “learn” without your permission?
- Is AI-generated content protected by copyright?
- What can you do if AI uses your work without consent?
If you’re a creative or a business that produces original work, understanding these issues is critical to protecting your rights.
How AI Uses Creative Works
Most AI tools are trained on enormous datasets scraped from the internet. That often includes copyrighted material—artwork, photographs, songs, and writing—without the creator’s knowledge or approval. This process, called “training,” raises legal disputes over whether using copyrighted works to train AI models is “fair use” or infringement.
In 2025, lawsuits from artists, authors, and media companies against AI companies are shaping how courts will interpret these questions. Several high-profile cases have argued that training AI on copyrighted content without a license is an unauthorized use.
Who Owns AI-Generated Content?
Current U.S. Copyright Office guidance is clear:
Works created entirely by AI, without human creative input, are not eligible for copyright protection.
If you use AI as part of your creative process, you must show significant human contribution for copyright protection to apply. Otherwise, the work could be in the public domain from the moment it’s created—free for anyone to use.
Steps to Protect Your Work from AI Misuse
If you’re concerned about AI using your work without permission, here are practical actions to take:
- Register Your Copyrights
Registration gives you stronger rights in court, including the ability to seek statutory damages and attorney’s fees. Even though copyright protection is automatic upon creation, registration is a critical step if you ever need to enforce your rights. - Use Licensing Terms That Prohibit AI Training
When licensing your work, include clear terms forbidding use in AI training datasets. - Employ Technical Protections
Use watermarking, metadata tags, or opt-out tools (where available) to prevent scraping by AI training bots. - Monitor AI Outputs
Search AI-generated platforms for work that looks similar to yours. If you find infringement, you may have legal grounds to act.
When to Contact a Copyright Lawyer
If you believe your work has been used to train an AI system without your consent, or if AI-generated material is unlawfully reproducing your content, speaking with a copyright attorney quickly can make all the difference. These cases often involve complex technical and legal issues—and timely action is key.
At Landry Legal, we represent creators, businesses, and brands in protecting their work from unauthorized use—whether by individuals, corporations, or AI companies.
📞 Call us at 888-914-0011 or email us at contact@landrypllc.com to discuss how to protect your creative work in the age of AI.