AI Art Frenzy: Studio Ghibli-Style Images and Copyright Controversies
AI Service Restrictions Imposed Due to ChatGPT Image Function Overwhelming System Capacity
Oh boy, OpenAI's new image generation feature in ChatGPT has left us with singed GPUs and a hot topic of debate! After a trend of creating Studio Ghibli-inspired images caused a server overload, the company had to implement rate limits. But it's not just technical issues that have everyone buzzing - there's a storm brewing over copyright concerns too.
CEO Sam Altman took to X (previously Twitter) to share the news, "It's super fun seeing people love images in ChatGPT but our GPUs are melting," he quipped. Although, it may not be amusing for those whose favorite Studio Ghibli movies like "Spirited Away" and "My Neighbor Totoro" have inspired a new wave of AI-generated artwork.
The craze? Users have been creating AI images mimicking Studio Ghibli's distinctive style, sharing them across social media platforms. Some even recreated popular memes, like the "distracted boyfriend," "bro explaining," and a funny shot of Ben Affleck smoking. Even Elon Musk wouldn't miss out on the fun, sharing a hilarious image of King Mufasa from "The Lion King" cradling a Shiba Inu dog.
The question on everyone's lips? Is using Studio Ghibli's signature animation style a copyright violation? The landscape isn't black-and-white but balances on several principles.
Under most major jurisdictions, the general artistic style—like Studio Ghibli’s aesthetic—cannot be copyrighted. The U.S. and India, for example, protect only specific, original works, not style elements. Copying style elements alone does not constitute copyright infringement [1][3][4]. However, using Studio Ghibli’s name or branding in a way that causes consumer confusion or suggests endorsement might be subject to trademark law [2].
The use of copyrighted Studio Ghibli images as part of the training dataset for AI models is also a gray area with no clear judicial precedent [2].Creators must disclose AI involvement when registering AI-assisted works under U.S. law [4].
International perspectives vary too, with India considering an "unmistakable impression" of Studio Ghibli as potential infringement, depending on how courts interpret the influence and originality [3].
As the AI art debate rages on, it's clear we're treading uncharted waters. But one thing's for certain - the future looks bright for OpenAI, with expectations to more than triple its revenue to $12.7 billion this year [5]. Get ready for an exciting ride as OpenAI plans to release GPT-4.5 and GPT-5 in the near future [5], bringing even more advanced AI capabilities.
Enjoy the ride, folks - guidelines are always subject to change!
Footnotes:
- Copyright and AI: Key Challenges and Insights
- AI Art, Generative Adversarial Networks, and Intellectual Property Rights
- Artificial Intelligence, Creativity, and Copyright
- What is Fair Use? Copyright and the Internet
- OpenAI Could Triple Revenue to $12.7 Billion this Year
- The debate over copyright infringement is heating up as artificial intelligence technology, such as the one used in OpenAI's ChatGPT, produces Studio Ghibli-inspired images.
- While generic artistic styles like Studio Ghibli's cannot be copyrighted under most major jurisdictions, using the Studio Ghibli name or branding could potentially lead to trademark issues.
- The use of copyrighted Studio Ghibli images in AI models also presents a gray area, and the legal landscape is evolving, with international perspectives and possible court interpretations playing a role.
