Q: Can images created using AI websites be used for small business ideas such selling t-shirts or stickers?

A: This is a great question, and is quite naturally very complex given the ever-changing landscape of technology. Right now, general intellectual property laws that govern internet images are essentially limited to uniquely created imagery and content that is produced by human individuals. Politicians and regulatory leaders are struggling with creating a determinative rule that would place AI in this same bucket, and provide protections over the intellectual property generated by AI. In summary, there is no controlling answer just yet. However, this does not make it legal. Many times, when you sign up for these AI generative services you may check a box agreeing to terms and conditions that could limit your ability to use the images for commercial purposes. Even if you did not tick a terms and conditions box, there could be terms and conditions elsewhere on the AI generator platform that bind you to their requirements and limitations once you obtain the AI-generated images. You or an attorney should review the AI generator platform that you are using and carefully go over any terms and conditions documents that are available on their website before you proceed with printing and selling the clothing.

A: Using images created using AI websites for your small business ideas, such as selling t-shirts or stickers online, raises questions about copyright and intellectual property rights. While AI-generated images may not have a human creator in the traditional sense, they can still be subject to copyright protection if they meet the criteria of originality and creativity. Therefore, it's crucial to determine the copyright status of the images you intend to use.

If the AI-generated images are created by you or licensed from a source that grants you the necessary rights, then you likely have the legal authority to use them for your small business purposes. However, if the AI-generated images are based on copyrighted material or produced using copyrighted algorithms or data without proper authorization, using them for commercial purposes could infringe on the rights of the copyright holder.

To ensure compliance with copyright laws and mitigate the risk of infringement, it's advisable to either create your own original images or obtain proper licenses or permissions for the images you plan to use in your business. This may involve reaching out to the creators or copyright holders of the AI-generated images to obtain explicit permission for commercial use, or using AI tools that provide clear terms of use and licensing options for their generated content. By taking these steps, you can protect your small business from potential legal issues and build a solid foundation for your online venture.