Decoding The Ownership Dilemma: Copyrights And AI-Generated Artworks In The Metaverse
- IJLLR Journal
- Jul 9
- 1 min read
Rushil Verma, Symbiosis Law School, Pune
ABSTRACT
This article explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Metaverse are reshaping the way the we think about creativity and copyright. It begins by explaining that AI can now produce art, music, and writing on its own, while the Metaverse provides immersive virtual spaces where these works can be shared, bought, and sold. Traditional laws, like the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 and international treaties, assume only humans can create original works. This raises questions: who owns AI-generated art, and are such creations even protected?
Next, the paper examines real-world examples and court cases – from India, the U.S., and the U.K. – that highlight gaps in authorship rules and enforcement challenges in decentralized virtual worlds. It also discusses ethical issues, such as bias in AI training data and the “black‐box” nature of algorithms.
Finally, the paper proposes solutions: redefining authorship to include human “AI‐assisted” creators, using blockchain and smart contracts for real‐time rights management, and creating an international treaty to harmonize AI copyright rules. Emphasizing fairness and transparency, the article calls for urgent legal reforms to balance innovation with respect for creators.
