Japanese lawmakers are considering making AI-generated images in the style of Studio Ghibli illegal due to potential copyright infringement concerns. The discussion centers around "Ghiblification," where AI tools like ChatGPT create images in the iconic Studio Ghibli style, beloved worldwide for its unique aesthetic.
The issue was raised in a House of Representatives Cabinet Committee meeting by Masato Imai, who asked Hirohiko Nakahara, Director-General for Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Strategy, about the legality of these AI-generated images. Nakahara replied that ultimately, courts would decide, but noted that using similar styles and ideas wouldn't be considered copyright infringement. However, if AI-generated content is deemed similar to or reliant on preexisting copyrighted works, it could constitute copyright infringement.
Studio Ghibli's distinctive style is an amalgamation of many artists' work, making it challenging to define what constitutes "Ghibli itself." This ambiguity raises questions about the feasibility of enforcing potential regulations. Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli's founder, has expressed strong disapproval of AI-generated art, calling it "an insult to life itself" in a 2016 documentary.
For now, there's no direct legal action planned against ChatGPT or similar AI tools in Japan. The decision on whether Ghibli-style images created by language-learning models like ChatGPT infringe on Studio Ghibli's intellectual property still needs to be discussed.
