AI in audiovisual production: opportunities and challenges

In this forum, Alberto Aduriz Sarabia, lawyer in Bardají & Honrado, addresses the main legal aspects to take into account when integrating elements from generative AI tools into audiovisual productions.

The use of tools artificial intelligence (AI) in the creation of visual content has generated an intense debate in the cultural and legal spheres. Despite resistance from some sectors, AI is already a undeniable reality. Tech companies like OpenAI (ChatGPT), Google, Microsoft and, more recently, DeepSeek They have been integrated into various daily processes, opening a range of new possibilities.

The audiovisual sector has not been immune to this. Artificial intelligence tools are often used in CGI systems (Computer-Generated Imagery) y VFX for the realization of special effects, although they are increasingly being integrated into more aspects of a audiovisual production.

These tools allow optimize costs and production times, in addition to offering creative possibilities previously unthinkable. However, there are certain circumstances that must be taken into account before carrying out its use in production to guarantee the originality and the intellectual property rights resulting from the work.

Legal aspects to take into account when using an artificial intelligence tool in an audiovisual production

La implementación de herramientas de IA en la producción audiovisual requiere evaluar diversos factores para garantizar la cadena de derechos y la propiedad intelectual de la obra audiovisual en su conjunto, para así poder explotarla sin ningún riesgo legal.

Es fundamental que las productoras comprendan las implicaciones legales y técnicas antes de incorporar dichas herramientas IA en sus proyectos. Lo más importante:

1. Derechos de propiedad intelectual en materiales previos (Inputs)

- Se debe contar con la licencia correspondiente o asegurarse de que los inputs utilizados en la herramienta IA (por ejemplo, imágenes previas) estén libres de derechos de autor.
- Si los inputs incluyen fotografías personales o de terceros, se debe contar con la autorización expresa de los titulares para su transformación y uso, lo cual debe estar debidamente documentado.

2. Derechos sobre los materiales generados (outputs)

- La herramienta IA utilizada debe garantizar la cesión de todos los derechos sobre el material (output) generado, ni se reserve un derecho para entrenar a dicha herramienta con estos outputs.
- No debe reservarse el derecho de uso ni emplear los inputs proporcionados (como imágenes, descripciones o cualquier otro dato) para otros fines, así como ninguna.

Regulación de las licencias para IA generativa

Recientemente, el Ministerio de Cultura de España ha tomado la decisión de retirar la tramitación del Real Decreto de licencias para IA generativa. This measure arises after the public consultation carried out last December after an avalanche of criticism received from the cultural sector.

According to the official statement, a dialogue process with the actors involved with the aim to address the challenges posed by generative AI and protect the authors' rights.

The opposition of the cultural sector to the regulation of AI tools

The IA poses legal challenges still unresolved, especially regarding the use of works protected by copyright in it training of these tools. In this context, various cultural organizations have expressed their concern about a possible regulation that would allow the large technology corporations retroactively remedy the use of works protected by copyright without the due authorization and compensation to legitimate rights holders.

He future of AI and the protection of rights by author They are not exclusive concepts., but two forces that, well harmonized, can drive a ethical technological development.

The debate about the artificial intelligence and the copyright remains open and requires a clear and equitable regulation. It is essential that AI tools respect the rights of authors and, therefore, that works with which they feed or train these tools require the proper authorization of their author.

He legislative power has the difficult task of weighing between the boost to AI and copyright, which necessarily requires a dialogue with all the actors involved. The future of AI and copyright protection They are not exclusive concepts., but two forces that, well harmonized, can drive a ethical technological development that will be able to expand human creativity without discouraging it. The road will not be easy, but dialogue and collaboration will be the key to build a legal framework that benefits everyone.