Computer Generated Works and Copyright: Selfies, Traps, Robots, AI and Machine Learning

Abstract

Many copyright laws were expanded to embrace computer generated works. What was understood by the expansion and what it protected are also referred to. Since the first generation of computer generated works protected by copyright, the types of computer generated works have multiplied further. This article examines some of the scenarios involving new types of computer generated works and recent claims for copyright protection. This includes contextual consideration and comparison of monkey selfies, camera traps, robots, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. While often commercially important, questions arise as to whether these new manifestations of copyright works are actually protected under copyright at all.