In a move reflecting increasing concerns over intellectual property disputes involving generative AI, Microsoft has made a groundbreaking commitment. The tech behemoth has decided to shoulder the legal burden of any copyright infringement stemming from material produced by its AI tools offered in products like Word, PowerPoint, and its coding platforms.
Key Points:
- Microsoft will cover legal expenses for its commercial clientele facing litigation over content produced by its AI offerings.
- This protective cover will extend to patrons of its GitHub Copilot, a $19-a-month service utilizing generative AI for computer coding. The AI-driven features of Microsoft 365 Copilot, which enhances products like Word, Teams, and PowerPoint, will also benefit from this protection. It’s worth noting, however, that Microsoft 365 Copilot remains in its testing phase, accessible only to a handful of businesses.
- Ilanah Fhima, a distinguished professor of intellectual property law at University College London, remarked, “This move opens up the market.” She further emphasized the significance of this step by suggesting that it “makes that software more usable as it removes one of the obstacles for businesses if they know that they have that reassurance.”
- The broader tech industry has seen mounting legal challenges over generative AI and copyright. Notable entities like Getty Images have launched lawsuits against AI firms, while various artists and media corporations have voiced concerns over unauthorized use of copyrighted materials for training expansive language models. Notably, Adobe had earlier committed to protecting its Firefly AI tool users in a similar fashion in June.
- Hossein Nowbar, Microsoft’s top legal authority on corporate affairs, shared insights on these escalating worries among clientele about potential IP infringements linked to generative AI outputs. He observed, “This is understandable, given recent public inquiries by authors and artists regarding how their own work is being used in conjunction with AI models and services.” He further assured, “If you are challenged on copyright grounds, we will assume responsibility for the potential legal risks involved.”
- Nowbar was candid about Microsoft’s philosophy, asserting that if clients encountered legal issues due to “our Copilots”, the responsibility should fall squarely on Microsoft, not the customer.
- Microsoft has, in a recent blog post, laid out its proactive measures to protect its AI products, termed as “guardrails”. These include sophisticated content filters and mechanisms to spot possible violations of third-party content.
- Still, UCL’s Fhima pointed out the evolving nature of legal terrain around AI and copyright, hinting that Microsoft might not necessarily find itself facing significant financial repercussions. She remarked, “There is a public interest in there being technological development, and strict rights of copyright aren’t always enforced.” She ended on a speculative note, suggesting that Microsoft’s move might be a “calculated risk.”
Analysis:
Microsoft’s decision mirrors the broader tech industry’s shift towards taking a proactive approach in dealing with emerging legal challenges tied to generative AI. By offering legal safeguards to their customers, tech giants like Microsoft and Adobe are not only looking to attract a broader user base but also setting a precedent for how businesses might navigate the murky waters of AI-generated content in the years to come.
