Academic

Artificial Intelligence and Sui Generis Right: A Perspective for Copyright of Ukraine?

This note explores the current state of and perspectives on the legal qualification of artificial intelligence (AI) outputs in Ukrainian copyright. The possible legal protection for AI-generated objects by granting sui generis intellectual property rights will be examined. As will be shown, AI remains a very challenging subject matter for legal regulation. This article seeks to identify the pros and cons of proposals in the Draft Law of Ukraine ‘On copyright and related rights’ on sui generis right relative to AI-generated objects. A comparative analysis of the EU Database Directive provisions is conducted regarding sui generis right to non-original databases. Investment theory will be considered as the only justification for a sui generis right protection of AI outputs aimed at the protection of substantial investments. The special criteria identifying the scope of the substantial investments in computer-generated objects are unclear in the Draft Law of Ukraine ‘On copyright and relat

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Liubov Maidanyk
· · 1 min read · 13 views

This note explores the current state of and perspectives on the legal qualification of artificial intelligence (AI) outputs in Ukrainian copyright. The possible legal protection for AI-generated objects by granting sui generis intellectual property rights will be examined. As will be shown, AI remains a very challenging subject matter for legal regulation. This article seeks to identify the pros and cons of proposals in the Draft Law of Ukraine ‘On copyright and related rights’ on sui generis right relative to AI-generated objects. A comparative analysis of the EU Database Directive provisions is conducted regarding sui generis right to non-original databases. Investment theory will be considered as the only justification for a sui generis right protection of AI outputs aimed at the protection of substantial investments. The special criteria identifying the scope of the substantial investments in computer-generated objects are unclear in the Draft Law of Ukraine ‘On copyright and related rights’. The proposed provisions are considered premature since they cover the concept of fully autonomous AI. The article concludes that the adoption of the proposed provisions may lead to excessive legal protection, as a special category of protected object is not identified.

Executive Summary

The article examines the legal status of artificial intelligence (AI) outputs within Ukrainian copyright law, focusing on the potential establishment of sui generis intellectual property rights. It critically evaluates the Draft Law of Ukraine 'On copyright and related rights,' comparing it with the EU Database Directive's provisions on sui generis rights for non-original databases. The article argues that the draft law's provisions are premature, as they address fully autonomous AI and lack clear criteria for substantial investments in computer-generated objects. It concludes that adopting these provisions could result in excessive legal protection due to the absence of a well-defined category of protected objects.

Key Points

  • The article explores the legal qualification of AI outputs in Ukrainian copyright law.
  • It examines the Draft Law of Ukraine 'On copyright and related rights' regarding sui generis rights for AI-generated objects.
  • A comparative analysis with the EU Database Directive is conducted to assess the suitability of sui generis rights.
  • The draft law is criticized for being premature and lacking clear criteria for substantial investments.
  • The article concludes that adopting the proposed provisions may lead to excessive legal protection.

Merits

Comprehensive Analysis

The article provides a thorough examination of the legal implications of AI-generated outputs, offering a detailed analysis of the Draft Law of Ukraine and comparing it with the EU Database Directive.

Critical Evaluation

The article critically assesses the draft law's provisions, highlighting their potential shortcomings and the need for clearer criteria.

Comparative Perspective

The comparative analysis with the EU Database Directive adds depth to the discussion, providing a broader context for understanding the legal challenges.

Demerits

Premature Provisions

The article argues that the draft law's provisions are premature, as they address fully autonomous AI, which may not be the current reality.

Lack of Clear Criteria

The draft law lacks clear criteria for identifying substantial investments in computer-generated objects, which is crucial for the effective implementation of sui generis rights.

Potential for Excessive Protection

The article warns that adopting the proposed provisions could lead to excessive legal protection, as a special category of protected objects is not clearly defined.

Expert Commentary

The article presents a rigorous and well-reasoned analysis of the legal challenges posed by AI-generated outputs in Ukrainian copyright law. By comparing the Draft Law of Ukraine with the EU Database Directive, the author provides a valuable perspective on the potential pitfalls and benefits of establishing sui generis rights. The criticism of the draft law's premature provisions and lack of clear criteria is particularly insightful, highlighting the need for a more nuanced and adaptable legal framework. The article's conclusion that adopting the proposed provisions could lead to excessive legal protection is a cautionary note for policymakers, emphasizing the importance of balancing protection with innovation. Overall, the article makes a significant contribution to the ongoing debate on the legal regulation of AI and intellectual property rights.

Recommendations

  • Policymakers should conduct a thorough review of the Draft Law of Ukraine 'On copyright and related rights' to ensure that the provisions on sui generis rights for AI-generated outputs are clear and adaptable to technological advancements.
  • Further research and comparative analysis with other jurisdictions should be undertaken to identify best practices for regulating AI-generated outputs and protecting substantial investments.

Sources