Microsoft Commits to Protect Customers from Copyright Claims Arising from AI Outputs
In an effort to address the concerns of its customers, Microsoft has pledged to defend users of its Copilot AI assistant against copyright lawsuits. The announcement comes as Microsoft embeds the AI generative assistant into its various applications, which has raised worries among customers regarding potential copyright infringements.
Customers fear that the outputs generated by the AI assistant could potentially violate copyright laws, making them susceptible to legal claims. To alleviate these concerns, Microsoft has committed to defend the customer and cover any judgments or settlements incurred as a result of copyright infringement lawsuits. This Copilot Copyright Commitment applies to customers who utilize the guardrails and content built into Microsoft’s software products.
Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president, alongside Hossein Nowbar, CVP and chief legal officer, emphasized the need to address the legal questions surrounding AI technologies. They stated, Like all new technologies, AI raises legal questions that our industry will need to work through with a wide array of stakeholders. This step represents a pledge to our customers that the copyright liability of our products is ours to shoulder, not theirs.
Microsoft is actively integrating its Copilot AI assistant into a range of business, security, and office software offerings. Currently, hundreds of large businesses are participating in a pilot rollout of Copilot within the Microsoft 365 suite of apps, including popular productivity and collaboration applications such as Word, Outlook, Excel, and Teams.
Designed to automate tasks and save users time, the Copilot AI assistant can assist in various activities such as drafting text in documents and emails. However, there is a risk that it may produce unintended outputs, including inaccurate information or copyrighted material, which can be incorporated into a customer’s content. Microsoft acknowledges this concern and has implemented content filters to reduce the likelihood of Copilot generating copyrighted material in its responses. Nevertheless, the company recognizes that more needs to be done to address the concerns of customers who are considering the adoption of generative AI tools within their organizations, as well as protect the creators of the content upon which their models are trained.
It is worth noting that Microsoft, OpenAI, and GitHub were previously involved in a copyright lawsuit. The lawsuit claimed that GitHub Copilot, another AI assistant, infringed on the rights of developers who had posted code under open-source licenses on Microsoft-owned GitHub. This serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding copyright and AI technologies.
As AI continues to advance and play a larger role in our daily lives, it is essential for companies like Microsoft to address potential legal implications. By committing to defend its customers against copyright claims arising from the use of the Copilot AI assistant, Microsoft aims to provide reassurance and protect its users. This proactive approach not only demonstrates Microsoft’s dedication to customer satisfaction but also highlights the need for ongoing collaboration among industry stakeholders to navigate the legal aspects of AI.
