No Copyright Needed for AI Art? Court Ruling Sparks Debate

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The American Bar Association
   • Formation and History
   • Controversies and Criticisms
3. Copyright Protection for AI-Generated Art
   • Case of Steven Thaler
   • Judge Barl Howell's Ruling
   • Debate on Human Involvement and Originality
4. Rejection of Class Settlement for Tesla
   • Allegations by Homeowners
   • Judge Vince Chabria's Decision
   • Possibility of Refiling the Motion
5. Investor Drops Lawsuit Against AMC
   • Board Election Demand
   • Shareholder Meeting and Dismissal of Litigation
   • Lawsuit Regarding Preferred Units
6. DMV Investigation of GM's Autonomous Vehicle
   • Concerning Incidents with Cru
   • Fleet Reduction and Road Safety Improvements
   • Opposition and City Attorney's Request
7. Conclusion

American Bar Association: Formation, Controversies, and Criticisms

The American Bar Association (ABA) holds an important place in the history of the legal profession in the United States. Established on August 21st, 1878, in Saratoga Springs, New York, the ABA aimed to advance jurisprudence, promote justice, and ensure uniformity of legislation. Initially comprised of 100 lawyers from 21 states, the ABA has grown to represent approximately half of all lawyers in the country.

However, the ABA has not been without its warranted criticisms and controversies. In the past, the association's stances on race led to marked scrutiny. An incident in 1912, where William H. Lewis's admission was rescinded due to his race, brought Attention to the ABA's discriminatory practices. It was not until 1943 that policies regarding race were changed. This legacy spurred the creation of the National Bar Association by African-American lawyers in 1925.

In recent years, the ABA has made efforts to increase diversity, electing its first African-American and Hispanic-American presidents and achieving a majority female roster of officers in 2016. However, criticism extends to its policy positions, drawing ire from conservative viewpoints. Issues such as abortion, gun control, and same-sex marriage have been points of contention. The ABA has also faced criticism for its failure to keep pace with the changing demands of modern society, its resistance to regulatory reform, and its handling of the practice of law in the modern world.

Copyright Protection for AI-Generated Art

The realm of copyright law is facing new challenges in the era of artificial intelligence. A federal judge in Washington, D.C., recently ruled on a case involving AI-generated art and its eligibility for copyright protection. The case was brought by computer scientist Steven Thaler, who sought copyright registration for a piece created by his AI program called "Creativity Machine."

However, the U.S. Copyright Office denied Thaler's application, stating that AI-generated art lacks human authorship. Judge Barl Howell's decision in the case has set a Precedent in the United States for defining legal boundaries for AI-generated art. Drawing on previous cases where non-human creations were denied copyright protection, Howell stated that the courts have consistently refused to recognize copyright in works without human involvement.

This ruling raises important questions about the level of human input required for AI-generated works to qualify for copyright protection and how to determine the originality of such art. Thaler's attorney plans to appeal the decision, but the Copyright Office believes the court's ruling was correct. The ongoing debate about copyrightability in the age of AI has been further complicated by the Copyright Office's recent grant of limited registration for an AI-assisted graphic Novel.

Rejection of Class Settlement for Tesla

A class settlement between Tesla Inc and homeowners has been rejected by a federal judge. The homeowners claimed that Tesla engaged in a bait and switch tactic with rooftop solar panel prices. In 2016, Tesla introduced a solar panel that resembled a tiled roof and allegedly lured customers with a low cost before increasing the prices in April of 2021.

Plaintiffs Matthew Amans and Bobic Malik sought a settlement that included specific sums for customers who incurred additional costs or chose to proceed at the increased price. However, Judge Vince Chabria denied the motion to preliminarily approve the settlement, stating that the filing failed to adequately explain the strengths and weaknesses of the case or clarify how the relief amounts were calculated.

The case was dismissed without prejudice, which means there is a possibility of refiling the motion for preliminary approval of the class action settlement. This decision highlights the challenges in reaching a fair settlement in complex cases involving consumer allegations against major corporations.

Investor Drops Lawsuit Against AMC

An investor in AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc has decided to drop a lawsuit demanding a board election at the movie theater chain. The investor's decision comes as AMC has scheduled its first general shareholder meeting in over a year for November 8th.

The dismissal of the litigation was agreed upon in Delaware's Court of Chancery with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be refiled. The lawsuit was initially filed in conjunction with a separate shareholder case over AMC's preferred units. An approved nine-figure settlement allowed AMC to convert its preferred stock to common shares, ceasing the trading of preferred units.

However, another AMC investor has filed a new lawsuit, alleging that the settlement shortchanges preferred stock shareholders. This ongoing legal battle reflects the complexities of corporate governance and investor disputes in the entertainment industry.

DMV Investigation of GM's Autonomous Vehicle

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is conducting an investigation into General Motors' (GM) autonomous vehicle unit, known as Cruise (Cru). The investigation comes after a robo-taxi operated by Cru was involved in a collision with an emergency vehicle in San Francisco.

As a result of the incident, the DMV has requested Cru to reduce its active fleet by 50% until the investigation is completed and necessary road safety improvements are made. Cru has agreed to comply with this request. The collision occurred when a fire truck operating in emergency mode collided with one of Cru's autonomous vehicles, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries to the passenger.

This incident follows the decision by the California Public Utilities Commission to allow Cru and other autonomous vehicle companies to operate at all hours and charge passengers in San Francisco. Despite opposition, City Attorney David Chu has requested a halt to the commission's decision, citing concerns about the readiness of the technology. The investigation and subsequent actions reflect the ongoing challenges and regulatory scrutiny faced by autonomous vehicle companies.

Conclusion

In this episode of "Minimum Competence," we explored various legal news topics, including the formation and controversies of the American Bar Association, the copyright protection of AI-generated art, the rejection of a class settlement for Tesla, an investor dropping a lawsuit against AMC, and the DMV's investigation of GM's autonomous vehicle unit, Cru. These cases and developments highlight the complexities and ongoing debates within the legal landscape. As the legal profession continues to evolve alongside advancements in technology and societal changes, it is crucial to stay informed and engage with these critical issues.