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1. Why Don't AI Creations Qualify for Copyright?

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The Legal Limitations of AI-Only Creations

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Does content created with ChatGPT or Midjourney have copyright? Unfortunately, work generated by an AI on its own cannot be copyrighted.

This is because Korean copyright law only recognizes "a creative work that expresses human thoughts or emotions." In fact, a 2025 Chinese court ruling denied copyright for an image generated with Midjourney, stating it lacked "original aesthetic sense or individual judgment."

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Why Human Creative Contribution is Key

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"Just entering a prompt doesn't make you the author!"

There is a major legal difference between simply typing "draw a cute cat" and a process where you select, edit, and weave a personal story into AI-generated outputs. Korea's Ministry of Culture has drawn a firm line, stating, "Copyright registration is not possible for AI outputs generated without human creative intervention."

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2. How to Get Copyright Protection for AI-Assisted Work

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Three Essential Strategies Every Creator Should Know

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1) Add Creativity Through Editing and CurationWhat's the secret behind Korea's first AI film, 'AI Surobuin,' being registered as a "compilation work"? The focus wasn't on simple generation, but on human selection and arrangement.

• Use various AI tools (GPT-4, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion).
• Select the best images from the generated outputs.
• Rearrange and edit them to fit your unique story.

2) Differentiate Your Work with Substantial Edits

• Retouch AI-generated images in Photoshop.
• Rewrite AI-generated text in your own personal style.
• Combine multiple AI outputs to create a new, composite work.

3) Document Your Creative Process

• Save the prompts you used.
• Keep before-and-after comparisons of your edits.
• Record a timeline of your editing process.

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Real-World Example: Creating a YouTube Short

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❌ The Wrong Way:

• Generate a script with AI → Use it as is.
• Generate an image with AI → Upload it immediately.
• Generate a voiceover with AI → Apply it without edits.

✅ The Right Way:

• Use the AI script as a base → Add your own personal experiences.
• Combine multiple AI images → Create a unique and compelling thumbnail.
• Enhance the AI voiceover → Add sound effects, BGM, and styled captions.

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3. Legal Risks You Must Know When Using AI Content

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The Line Between Copyright Infringement and Fair Use

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"Transforming someone else's content with AI doesn't automatically make it yours!"

For example:

• Creating a live-action style version of a famous webtoon character without permission → Copyright infringement.
• Summarizing another creator's video using AI → Caution needed.
• Parodying a brand logo with AI → Potential trademark infringement.

The key is whether there was a 'creative transformation' that adds new meaning or message, going beyond simple alteration. This is also one of the core criteria for determining fair use under U.S. copyright law.

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Warning: Violating Portrait and Publicity Rights

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Cases where creators often make mistakes:

• AI Cover Songs: Imitating a famous person's voice with AI can violate their right of publicity.
  • Example: Covering a pop song in IU's voice → High-risk!
• Deepfake Content: This can be an issue not only for celebrities but for ordinary people as well.
  • Even a "for fun" face-swap of a friend could be a violation of their portrait rights.
• AI Avatars / VTubers: Be cautious when creating an AI character that resembles a real person.
  • Imitating celebrities or influencers is strictly off-limits.

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4. The Creator's AI Copyright Checklist

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A 5-Minute Checklist Before You Upload

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✅ Check for Originals: Does my content include anyone else's copyrighted work?(Check background music, images, and video clips.)

✅ Check for People: Does it feature the face or voice of a real person?(Even if AI-generated, it's risky if it closely resembles a real person.)

✅ Check for Brands: Are there any visible trademarks or logos?(Even a brand logo generated by AI by mistake can cause problems.)

✅ Disclose AI Use: It's recommended to credit the use of AI.(e.g., "The narration in this video was created using an AI voice.")

✅ Check for Commercial Use: Be extra careful if you have monetization turned on.(Copyright standards are often stricter for commercial use.)

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Platform-Specific Notes

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• YouTube: The Content ID system can detect AI-generated content.
• Instagram: There is a growing trend of requiring labels for AI-generated content.
• TikTok: Check the community guidelines on using AI voices and video.

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Conclusion: How Creators Can Use AI Safely

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Choosing a Copyright-Safe AI Tool

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As a creator, the most important question is: "Can I monetize the content I make with this?"

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Checkpoints:

‍✅ Does it explicitly permit commercial use?

✅ Does it include terms that assign the rights of the output to the user?

✅ Does it offer protection in case of copyright infringement claims?

✅ Is the source of its training data transparent?

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Pro Tip: A Safe AI Service Popular Among Creators, Supertone Play

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Voice content is especially sensitive when it comes to copyright and publicity rights. Using someone else's voice without permission can lead to serious trouble.

For creators facing this issue, choosing an AI voice service that is designed for commercial use from the start is the smart move. For example, Supertone Play is a TTS service that offers over 150 AI voices fully cleared for unlimited commercial use.

It also features a voice cloning function that can replicate your own voice from just a 10-second recording, allowing you to create content even when you have a cold or are working late at night.

With a free trial available, it’s a great option for creators who want to leverage AI voices without worrying about copyright.

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Try right now!

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