Saudi Arabia issues first reported AI copyright fine
Copyright authority fines individual $2,400 for publishing AI-altered images
#SaudiArabia #copyright - Saudi Arabia has issued its first reported copyright infringement fine for AI-generated content. According to the Saudi Gazette, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) ordering an individual to pay SR9,000 ($2,400) for using artificial intelligence to modify and publish someone else's personal photograph without permission. The landmark penalty demonstrates how existing copyright frameworks are being applied to emerging AI technologies, establishing legal precedent for protecting individual rights in the generative AI era whilst reinforcing Saudi Arabia's commitment to intellectual property enforcement.
SO WHAT? - The debate regarding AI generated images and what criteria should be considered to identify copyright infringement has been ongoing for years, with no global consensus. However, due to the new Saudi ruling and enforcement it is clear that the use of AI generated images based on the personal images of other individuals without permission will not be tolerated. Although there are no specific regulations under existing laws that specify this type of infringement using AI, the ruling aligns with not only Saudi copyright law, but also Saudi Anti-Cyber Crime Law and historical precedents made by the legal system.
Here are the key details about this story:
A news article by the Saudi Gazette today reported that the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) imposed a SR9,000 ($2,400) fine on an individual who used AI to modify someone else's personal photograph and published it without the person’s consent as copyright holder.
This is the first reported case of copyright infringement penalties being enforced specifically for AI-generated image violations in the Kingdom since the advent of generative AI technology, and one of a relative few reported globally.
The case was prosecuted under Saudi Arabia's existing Copyright Law (Royal Decree No. M/41), demonstrating that current legal frameworks can address AI-related intellectual property violations without requiring new legislation.
SAIP's enforcement process involves the aggrieved party filing an official complaint, followed by evidence collection, direct investigation with the alleged violator, and examination by a specialised committee before final decisions.
Saudi copyright law protects individuals' personal rights to control usage of their likeness in public domains, granting both moral and financial rights to copyright holders.
According to the media report, the authority emphasised that publishing personal images modified using AI technologies and commercially exploiting them without consent constitutes clear violation of copyright law.
No specific AI usage laws currently exist in Saudi Arabia, but AI applications must comply with both existing laws including copyright law, personal data protection law (PDPL), anti-cybercrime law and others.
The SAIP operates under the Prime Minister's office and aims to regulate intellectual property fields according to international best practices.
ZOOM OUT - The ruling arrives as governments worldwide grapple with regulating AI technologies that can generate increasingly sophisticated content. The European Union, United States, and United Kingdom and other jurisdictions are developing AI governance frameworks. Meanwhile, creators and rights holders demand stronger protections against unauthorised AI usage of their content. The recently introduced EU AI Act does not specifically cover AI copyright infringements, but does mention that AI use should comply with copyright laws. So, Saudi Arabia's approach of applying existing copyright law to AI cases is sure to spark interest and debate across the region.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Read more about Saudi laws and regulations:
Saudi opens consultation on Global AI Hub Law (Middle East AI News)
Transition period for Saudi Arabia's PDPL ends (Middle East AI News)
Saudi data law revisited (Middle East AI News)