Studio Ghibli and the Copyright Conundrum: Indian Copyright Law Perspective on AI-Generated Art

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools has introduced complex legal and ethical challenges, particularly in the creative industry, as highlighted by controversies like the Studio Ghibli-inspired AI art trend. This paper examines critical issues surrounding copyright infringement, creative ownership, algorithm transparency and ethical accountability of generative AI technologies in the light of the Studio Ghibli controversy. These generative AI tools often replicate artistic styles without procuring appropriate authorisations, raising regulatory concerns about the use of copyrighted works for training datasets and generating imitative works that mimic these distinctive styles without the consent or involvement of the artists. Furthermore, the lack of a clear regulatory framework has raised uncertainties surrounding ownership and liability. The paper advocates for a comprehensive legal framework to balance the intersection of creativity and ethical safeguards to ensure accountability and transparency in this evolving AI landscape.