A clearer picture of how studios intend to incorporate artificial intelligence into the screenplay production apparatus is coming into view. The agreement requires writers to obtain consent if they want to use generative AI and allows studios to “reject a use of GAI that could adversely affect the copyrightability or exploitation of the work.”
Source: Hollywood’s AI Compromise: Writers Get Protection, Studios Aim for Copyright
The authors note that OpenAI’s detailed interpretation of fair use in an AI context is irrelevant, at least at this stage. Fair use is a defense that is typically not used to dismiss copyright infringement claims before they’re properly argued. “Fair use is an affirmative defense, and is inappropriate to resolve on a motion to dismiss,” the author’s said in their reply brief. Given that, OpenAI’s arguments regarding fair use are “wholly misplaced.”
Source: Authors: OpenAI’s Fair Use Argument in Copyright Dispute is Misplaced * TorrentFreak
Leading artificial intelligence firm OpenAI announced today that users of its ChatGPT generative AI tool will again be able to generate answers to prompts that search the web for the latest information. It’s a revival of a powerful feature that was removed from the service in July because it was being used to bypass paywalled content. OpenAI noted the relaunch reflects “useful feedback” from its first attempt.
Source: OpenAI’s ChatGPT Now Searches the Web in Real Time—Again – Decrypt
While “Barbie” may have been a huge opening salvo in Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz‘s plan to turn toy brands into media IP, it’s just the beginning of a versatile long-term strategy that will extend far beyond the cinema to TV and gaming for the likes of “Monster High” and “Hot Wheels.” Looking beyond movies, where Mattel has as many as 15 projects in active development, Kreiz pointed to 12 TV shows that Mattel is putting on TV and streaming platforms this year,
Source: Barbie, Shmarbie: Mattel CEO’s Media Strategy Is Far More Than One Movie
Epic Games is slashing its workforce by 16%, laying off about 830 employees, as it looks to cut costs. The cutbacks were announced in an internal memo from Epic CEO Tim Sweeney. In addition to the layoffs, the company is selling Bandcamp the music store and community platform it acquired in 2022, and will spin off most of SuperAwesome, the kids’ digital marketing company Epic bought in 2020.
Source: Fortnite Developer Epic Games Axing 16% of Staff, Laying Off 830 Employees, and Sells Bandcamp
What took so long? That was the prevailing sentiment among many book business members upon hearing the news that the FTC had filed an antitrust lawsuit against the nation’s largest e-tailer and dominant bookseller. Independent booksellers, which were the first physical retailers impacted by Amazon and the steep discounting on books it employed to attract customers, praised the FTC’s long-awaited action.
Source: Book Business Applauds Government Lawsuit Against Amazon
The WGA emerges from the long slog of a strike and difficult contract talks with a deal that is far richer and more comprehensive than most industry observers would have predicted last spring when the fitful negotiations began. Here’s a rundown of the key issues that have been settled in the tentative agreement that the Writers Guild of America reached Sept. 24 with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Source: New WGA Contract Explained: AI Is Not a Writer, Solo Scribe Shows Don’t Need Minimum Staff and More
Source: WSJ News Exclusive | OpenAI Seeks New Valuation of Up to $90 Billion in Sale of Existing Shares
Net neutrality is back on the menu, citizens. After a long, long battle ending in eventual defeat during Trump’s presidency, the FCC is set to reinstate rules that broadband providers must treat all traffic equally, giving no sweetheart deals to business partners or their own services. The effort to revive this popular rule was announced in a speech at the National Press Club by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, who was one of the original rule’s champions over a decade ago.
Source: FCC announces plans to reinstate net neutrality | TechCrunch
Spotify is OK with AI, after all. In a reversal from an earlier decision, the CEO of the world’s biggest music streaming service said Tuesday that it would not ban AI-generated music. This follows an announcement of AI-translated podcasts, giving both commercial and independent producers a way to reach international markets.
Source: Spotify Embraces AI, Eschews AI Music Ban and Adds AI Podcast Translation – Decrypt