Discussion 5 Mickey Goes Rogue and AI Is Blowing It All Up!

Christine Russell

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Read the attached article and consider the ethical implications of AI generated material in this case. Mickey Mouse is now in the public domain (meaning anyone can use the trademarked/copyrighted mouse in any way they wish). Minnie is there with him. Add to this AI is generating movies, realistic copies of Mickey et al in all kinds of adult and compromising situations. Do you see any ethical issues for this behavior? Disney can't control the use anymore, but Mickey et al are intimately tied to consumer's views of Disney in many ways as a children's character. In the past in order to make animated movies people needed the tools and artists to replicate and use the mouse. But with AI people can generate realistic versions of these characters in any compromising positions or behaviors they wish (there's already a killer Mickey movie out there). What impact could this have on Disney? What about kids and families who have always viewed Mickey and friends as part of their happy childhood? There have been people who have suggested that certain iconic pieces of art like this should not ever go into the public domain. Disney worked hard to avoid this outcome but the law eventually allowed it. Should we consider different rules for certain content or can we really decide what should or shouldn't go into the public domain and be fair to all? Can the law even address this issue or is this a problem for someone/something else? Is this kind of thing an ethical use of AI? (Remember that ethical and legal can be the same or diverge.) Does it matter at all? Can you think of other ways AI might be used to misuse Intellectual Property (in the public domain or not?)

Mickey is Free!Links to an external site.