With the development of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, content creation is affecting lawyers who use images on their websites and in their marketing. A failure to obtain licenses to use human-made images can lead to hefty copyright penalties, but AI offers a potential solution.
A significant legal case, Thaler v. Perlmutter, highlighted the issue of copyright for AI-generated works, ruling that human authorship is a necessary component for copyright protection. Despite this, AI-generated images can still be used on websites if they don’t infringe on copyrighted material and the underlying IP rights are not disputable. Here are some tips for using AI-generated images responsibly on your website.
- Determine the Image’s Ownership, Examine the Terms of Use
Make sure you have the necessary rights or permission for AI-generated images. Unlike when you create an image yourself, you do not own AI-generated content by default. If you prompted an AI-generated image from a third-party source, check its licensing agreement/terms of use to see if the AI output can be used on websites, for commercial applications, or any other specific restrictions.
- Select Photos That Talk About Your Practice and Your Target Market
Choose images that reflect your expertise, professionalism, and personality, while also aligning with your brand identity and tone. For instance, if you specialize in corporate law, opt for images that convey professionalism, success, or innovation.
- Give Appropriate Credit
Respect the licensing terms or any applicable copyright laws by giving the AI-generated image’s developer due credit. Accurate labeling of AI-generated photos is essential to avoid confusion or incorrect attribution, especially as regulations in this field are still developing.
