AI Short Drama Copyright Case Ruling: AI Content With Human Original Intellectual Input Is Legally Protected

AI short dramas have become popular due to low barriers, but whether ordinary creators' works enjoy copyright has become a focus. An online game company's AI tool allows users to generate short dramas and watch them for a fee, but some people pirated over a thousand works for profit.

After the Huangpu District Procuratorate in Guangzhou intervened, it was determined that the involved AI short dramas, which include users' original scripts and plot settings, are protected works. Two suspects pirated more than 1700 short dramas for profit, constituting copyright infringement, and were sentenced to 8 months in prison with 1 year and 2 months probation plus a fine.

This case clarifies the copyright recognition rule for AI content: it needs human original intellectual input, providing legal guidance for the industry and protecting creators' rights.