Wang Xinyue

Qingdao University of Science and Technology

Abstract：

2022 was hailed as the “Year of AI Art,” marking a leap in artificial intelligence (AI) technology within artistic creation. Even ordinary individuals could generate complete images by inputting keywords or simple framework sketches. However, copyright law protects expression rather than ideas. The copyright disputes exposed by technological progress are testing the applicability of the existing legal framework. The definition of AI-generated works as creations, the attribution of copyright ownership, and infringement risks have become focal points of current legal regulation in China. Moreover, the challenge posed by machine-generated content to the free will of artistic creation has sparked profound ethical reflection. This paper analyzes copyright disputes from the technical principles of AIGC, examines the world's first infringement case involving an AIGC platform, and explores legal gaps in AIGC copyright protection by integrating China's legal framework and regulatory provisions. It conducts legal and ethical reflections on copyright protection, aiming to seek a value anchor for pure art in an era marked by the tension between technology and ethics, where risks and opportunities coexist.

Key Words：

AI-generated content; copyright law; AIGC platforms; legal disputes; ethical reflection