State of play · data as of 2026-10-21
Protection of AI output
Can AI-generated work be protected?
Where it's heading
Positions on a five-point scale; see the methodology. Narrowed or overruled decisions are left out.
The law todayDivided
8 jurisdictions
5 human authors only1 only the human parts2 AI output protected
ProposalsDivided
13 papers
5 human authors only4 only the human parts4 AI output protected
Who says what
Every source behind each group’s position, including those still pending or taking no position. Open one for the full summary and the primary source.
Law
9 toward human authors only · 5 toward AI output protected · 3 only the human parts · 18 sources
Policymakers
All 1: only the human parts · 1 source
Academia
4 toward AI output protected · 4 toward human authors only · 2 only the human parts · 12 sources
Professional bodies
1 only the human parts · 1 toward human authors only · 2 sources
Current law, jurisdiction by jurisdiction
The most authoritative decision or act still in force in each jurisdiction. Open Decisions for the full list.
| Jurisdiction | Leading authority | Answer | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Thaler v. PerlmutterU.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit · 2025 · Appellate court · +5 more | Human authors only | Current |
| Czech Republic | S.Š. v. TAUBEL LEGAL (AI image)Municipal Court in Prague · 2023 · First instance | Human authors only | Current |
| Germany | AI-generated logos case (Local Court Munich)Amtsgericht München (Local Court Munich) · 2026 · First instance | Human authors only | Current |
| Ukraine | Law on Copyright and Related Rights, Article 33 (sui generis right for AI output)Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine · 2023 · Legislation | Closer to AI output protected | Current |
| United Kingdom | CDPA 1988, section 9(3): computer-generated worksUK Parliament · 1988 · Legislation | Closer to AI output protected | Current |
| China | Zhou v. (Beijing Internet Court, 2025)Beijing Internet Court · 2025 · First instance · +5 more | Human authors only | Current |
| South Korea | Copyright guidelines on generative AIMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourism / Korea Copyright Commission · 2023 · Official guidance | Only the human parts | Current |
| Mexico | Amparo Directo 6/2025 (AI avatar)Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation of Mexico, Second Chamber · 2025 · Apex court | Human authors only | Current |
Options on the table
Proposals from parliaments, governments, universities and professional bodies, ordered by breadth of support. Each source group weighs the same.
1Only human authors should get copyright in AI-generated output.
Policymakers 1/12 · Academia 8/34 · Professional bodies 2/6 · 4 take a different line
What's pending
Decisions still under appeal, and policy moves in the last 18 months.
Decisions under appeal
- Théâtre D'opéra Spatial (Copyright Office Review Board)U.S. Copyright Office Review Board · 2023-09-05 · Allen challenged the refusal in federal court (Allen v. Perlmutter).
Recent policy moves
No recent policy moves recorded.
Latest on this topic
A descriptive map of public sources, not legal advice and not a recommendation. Positions are a curated reading, not an exhaustive survey. See the methodology.