Apparently, many reports say Japanese lawmakers are apparently considering a law that could punish anyone who creates an AI image in imitation of the Studio Ghibli iconic style. The proposal comes amid a current wave of discussion over Ghibli’s protection of its intellectual property. Yet to be confirmed officially, and fans and legal scholars are left with wondering-what about AI art, and what about copyright law?
Studio Ghibli, hallowed studio of classics like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, has perhaps an entirely different style, one seemingly instantly recognizable.
Imposing this one idea-unauthorized imitation of that magic-does sting. Should the law pass, it would be a founding case on the regulation of AI-generated content not just in Japan but worldwide.
The absence of speculation about enforcement brings more questions to the current debate-would it affect only commercial use, or could even fan-made AI tributes find themselves in the crosshairs?
And what about the other studios-would this open the floodgates for them to seek similar protections? That has left the internet ignited with speculation
Some fans argue that AI art is fair use in whatever form it takes. There are those, however, who argue that in the absence of rules and regulations, AI can dilute the actual animation with impurity.
Such debates are not today; many years back, a war was waged with the intervention of AI in the course of art. This very proposal is now draping over something quite culturally impactful as Studio Ghibli.
That is now leaving a proposal unfinished with many questions. Will Japan really make it happen? What will this mean for AI developers and artists? And most importantly: Is that actually going to stop people from creating their own kind of Ghibli-look-ai art, anyway?
All these await the answer with time, but surely, one thing-to start the discussion about AI and creativity is much more engaging.
There are still responses on the original tweet, but on one level, the odds suggest flames are rising elsewhere. If this law passes, the tsunami sweeping over AI-generated content would start with anime and run across the whole spectrum of digital arts.
This gives us a real reason to pay attention, since this could well be the start of things.
