Media, entertainment firms turn to AI to spot copyright infringement

Even as AI-generated content threatens to eat into revenue of original entertainment works, experts said AI tools could also help spot copyright infringement and enforce takedowns.

- Lata Jha [e-mail]

The use of AI to detect copyright violations is increasingly common in intellectual property enforcement. Machine learning models, trained on vast datasets, enhance accuracy in spotting breaches, helping distinguish authorised from unauthorised use with greater precision.

For example, YouTube's Content ID is an automated system that identifies and manages copyrighted content on the platform. In the second half of 2023 alone, it handled over one billion cases, issuing strikes for flagged material and taking down videos. Repeated violations can even result in the removal of the channel.

Likewise, Meta Rights Manager—a video, audio, and image-matching tool—helps rights holders track and manage their content across Facebook and Instagram.