Is It LEGAL to SELL AI Generated Art on Etsy, RedBubble, Society6 & Other Marketplaces?
TLDRThe video discusses the legality and feasibility of selling AI-generated art on various online marketplaces such as Redbubble, Society6, and Etsy. The creator expresses concerns about the sustainability and market demand for such art, and investigates the terms of service for each platform to determine if selling AI art is allowed. The video highlights the confusion and contradictions in the information available online, and the need for clarity from marketplaces. It emphasizes the importance of not infringing on copyrights and trademarks when using AI art for commercial purposes. The creator also stresses the necessity of checking the terms of service of the AI art generator tools to ensure they allow commercial use. The video concludes with a call for artists to be thoughtful in their use of AI, rather than simply mass-producing designs, and to consider how AI can be integrated into their creative process to enhance their work.
Takeaways
- 🤔 The legality of selling AI-generated art on platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, and Society6 is not universally clear and can be confusing.
- 🚫 Stock photography purchased for commercial use from sites like Shutterstock cannot be used for print-on-demand products on Etsy, even if the photographer has the rights to display and sell the photo.
- 📝 The legality of selling AI art is separate from copyright infringement issues; marketplaces' terms may change, and it's crucial to ensure the AI art does not infringe on copyrights or trademarks.
- 💡 AI-generated art can be considered as a tool, similar to design software like Canva, and the term 'AI-generated' is a legal way to refer to art created with the assistance of AI tools.
- 🟢 Some platforms like Spreadshirt and Threadless have confirmed that AI-generated art can be sold on their platforms as long as it adheres to their guidelines and does not infringe on copyrights.
- 🔍 The speaker conducted extensive research by contacting multiple marketplaces and reviewing their terms of service to clarify the legality of selling AI art.
- 😐 Some companies provided non-answers or redirected the speaker to consult a lawyer or their terms of service, which often did not specifically address AI-generated content.
- 🚫 Redbubble did not give a clear answer regarding the legality of selling AI art on their platform, which might imply that sellers should independently ensure they have the rights to the content.
- 🌟 Society6 surprisingly allowed AI-generated artwork, contradicting the speaker's initial expectations based on their reputation for featuring 'true artists'.
- ✅ Creative Fabrica confirmed that AI art can be sold on their platform as long as it is uploaded to the designated AI-generated category and does not infringe on any rights.
- 📚 It's important for artists to check the terms of service of the AI art generator tool to ensure that commercial use is permitted, as some tools may restrict use to personal purposes only.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is the legality of selling AI-generated art on various online marketplaces such as Redbubble, Society6, and others.
Why is the legality of selling AI art on marketplaces important to discuss?
-The legality is important because it addresses whether it's allowed on different marketplaces to sell AI-generated art, which is a topic that many people are confused about and is not clearly stated in the terms of service of these platforms.
What does the video clarify about copyright infringement?
-The video clarifies that even if a marketplace allows selling AI-generated art, it does not override issues related to copyright infringement and trademarks. Using trademarked phrases or copyrighted characters in AI art can still lead to being banned from the platform.
What is the stance of Spreadshirt regarding AI-generated art?
-Spreadshirt does not have an issue with AI art being used on their platform as long as it complies with their Marketplace and Community guidelines and the quality is good enough for printing.
What is the policy of Society6 on AI-generated artwork?
-Society6 allows artists to upload AI-generated artwork as long as they have the rights to the content created by the AI.
How does the video address the quality of AI-generated art for printing?
-The video emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the quality of AI-generated art is high enough for printing, warning against simply enlarging small designs which can result in a loss of quality.
What is the term used to describe the tools that generate AI art?
-The term used to describe these tools is 'AI art generator', which refers to an artificial intelligence tool that generates art.
What does the video suggest about the future of AI-generated content?
-The video suggests that AI-generated content can be a significant part of the creative process, but it should be used as a starting point or as part of a design, rather than as the entire final product.
Why does the video recommend checking the terms of service for AI art generators?
-The video recommends checking the terms of service to ensure that the AI art generator allows for commercial use of the generated art, as some may restrict use to personal purposes only.
What is the video's opinion on the use of AI art for commercial purposes?
-The video suggests that AI art can be used for commercial purposes, but it is crucial to have the right to use the image and to comply with the terms of service of both the AI generator and the marketplace where the art is being sold.
What is the general advice given in the video for those interested in selling AI art?
-The video advises against uploading a large volume of AI art without consideration, and instead recommends focusing on marketing, developing a unique style, and finding a niche to increase the chances of success.
Outlines
🤔 Exploring the Legitimacy of Selling AI Art
The video script begins with the creator expressing skepticism about the claims of earning significant income from selling AI-generated art on platforms like Redbubble. They emphasize the need to discuss not just the financial viability, but also the legal and ethical considerations of selling such art. The creator clarifies that they will not be discussing copyright infringement in terms of the AI tools used, but rather the legality of selling AI art on various marketplaces and the potential for market confusion.
🔍 Researching Legality Across Multiple Platforms
The creator describes their process of researching the legality of selling AI art on different platforms. They mention their efforts in contacting multiple marketplaces and checking terms of service, FAQ sections, and reaching out through social media and email. The response from Redbubble on the legality of AI art is highlighted, with the platform stating that artists are responsible for the products they sell and must own the intellectual property rights to the materials they publish.
📄 Terms of Service and AI Art Submissions
The script details the creator's interaction with various platforms regarding the submission and sale of AI-generated art. They discuss the importance of understanding the terms of service and the need to represent and warrant ownership of the content or have permission to use it. The creator also mentions the lack of a direct answer from some platforms and the importance of respecting intellectual property rights.
🚫 Navigating Copyright and Trademark Concerns
The video script addresses the potential issues with copyright and trademark infringement when selling AI art. It stresses that even if a marketplace allows AI-generated art, using trademarked phrases or copyrighted characters like Mickey Mouse is not permitted. The creator also emphasizes the importance of checking the terms of service of the AI art generator tool to ensure commercial use is allowed.
🤨 The Challenge of Contacting Marketplaces
The creator recounts their experience of reaching out to various platforms for clarification on the sale of AI art. They express frustration with the lack of clear answers and the runaround they received from some platforms' customer service. The script highlights the mixed responses from platforms like Society6, Threadless, and Redbubble, with some providing clear guidelines and others not.
🌐 Broadening the Scope to Include More Platforms
The video script expands the discussion to include additional platforms such as Imprint, Creative Fabrica, FY, and Etsy. The creator shares their findings, indicating that most platforms do not explicitly prohibit the sale of AI art but emphasize the importance of owning the rights to the content. They also mention the need to check the specific terms of the AI tool used for creating the art.
📉 The Impact of AI Art on the Marketplace and Artists
The creator reflects on the potential impact of AI-generated art on the market and artists. They discuss the concerns about the ethical implications of AI art and the potential for it to devalue human creativity. The video concludes with a call to action for artists to thoughtfully consider the use of AI in their work, rather than relying solely on AI-generated designs.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡AI Generated Art
💡Redbubble
💡Etsy
💡Copyright Infringement
💡Marketplace Guidelines
💡Intellectual Property Rights
💡Print on Demand (POD)
💡Society6
💡Zazzle
💡Creative Fabrica
💡Legality
Highlights
The legality of selling AI-generated art on various marketplaces is a topic of confusion and contradiction.
Many online platforms do not explicitly address the sale of AI art in their terms of service.
The video discusses the legality in terms of marketplace allowances rather than copyright infringement.
Stock photography purchased for commercial use cannot be used for print-on-demand products on Etsy, even if the photographer has the rights.
The video creator contacted multiple marketplaces to inquire about the legality of selling AI art.
Spreadshirt allows AI art as long as it complies with their marketplace and community guidelines.
TeePublic's response was vague, not directly addressing the legality of selling AI art on their platform.
Display said it does not concern the art style or technique used, including AI, as long as artists own the intellectual property rights.
Zazzle has a clear policy allowing AI-generated content as part of the final composition, with appropriate tagging.
Fine Art America has not responded to inquiries about AI art, despite having its own AI generator.
Society6 allows AI-generated artwork uploads as long as the artist has the rights to the AI-created content.
Threadless features shops using AI art, indicating that AI art is allowed on their platform.
Redbubble's response was non-committal, not providing clear guidelines on the legality of AI art.
Imprint does not allow items entirely made with AI to be sold on their platform.
Creative Fabrica permits the sale of AI art as long as it is uploaded to the designated AI-generated category.
Etsy allows the sale of AI art, pending further investigation by their higher team.
Amazon (through Merge) has not provided a clear answer regarding the sale of AI-generated art.
The video suggests using AI-generated content as a part of a design, not as the entire product, for better marketability.
The debate on the morality and impact of AI art on traditional artists is complex and ongoing.