The player, the programmer and the AI: a copyright odyssey in gaming

Abstract

Copyright © The Author(s) 2023. The advancement of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) technology has fundamentally altered the production and ownership of works, including video games. That is because, with the development of AI systems, machines are now capable of not only producing works that are similar to existing ones but also creating works that are truly original and creative.

The question of how such works should be protected under copyright law is a complex and evolving one. It is crucial to take into account the numerous approaches that have been proposed in this regard for the copyright protection of AI-generated works alongside related criticisms. Regardless of the approach employed, the issue of copyright protection for AI-generated works becomes more complicated if one considers the exclusive rights copyright holders enjoy, such as the communication to the public right via video game streaming.

It will be feasible to create a framework for the protection of AI-generated works that is fair, effective and responsive to the requirements of both creators and users by carefully examining the legal and practical challenges involved.