[Flame War Anatomy Record ③-2] Things to be careful about on SNS! Basics of AI and Copyright

Do you think that "it's okay to freely use pictures found on the internet"?
The "Amanotsuki Incident" that occurred in the spring of 2023 started with the act of feeding illustrations into an AI.

In this article, we will organize the basics of AI and copyright that everyone who uses SNS should know, while avoiding difficult legal jargon as much as possible.

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1. "Available on the internet" does not mean "free to use"

• Illustrations and photos have the author's rights (copyright).
• Saving, editing, or feeding them into an AI without permission are acts that require the author's consent.
• Just because it is published does not mean it is free to use.

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2. Even "just feeding it into an AI" can cause trouble

• AI takes in works to create new images.
• Training an AI on works without the author's permission can lead to copyright infringement.
• Even if you were "just playing around," it is a serious issue from the other party's perspective.

3. Simple rules to avoid a flame war

1. Ask for permission when you want to use something
2. Do not edit without permission
3. Do not feed into an AI
4. Clearly state the source if you want to quote

4. Age does not matter

• In the Amanotsuki incident, it was later discovered that the person was a middle school student.
• However, even if you are a minor, the act itself does not disappear.
• "It's okay because I'm a child" does not hold up.

Summary

The Amanotsuki incident was an example of how "a little bit of unauthorized use" spread into a major flame war.
To enjoy SNS safely—
• Works on the internet belong to "someone"
• Do not use them without permission, do not edit them without permission

Just by following these two rules, you can prevent major trouble.


👉 Please see [Flame War Anatomy Record ③-1] for an article that delves deeper into this for creators.