Is It LEGAL to SELL AI Generated Art on Etsy, RedBubble, Society6 & Other Marketplaces?

Mey Aroyo
28 Jul 202338:48

TLDRThe video discusses the legality and platform policies regarding the sale of AI-generated art on various online marketplaces such as Redbubble, Society6, Zazzle, and others. The creator highlights the confusion around the rules and seeks clarification from each platform. The responses vary, with some platforms allowing AI art as long as it doesn't infringe on copyrights, while others provide no clear answer. The video emphasizes the importance of checking the terms of service for both the AI art generator and the marketplace. It also touches on the ethical considerations and the evolution of art in the face of new technologies, comparing the current AI art debate to past controversies over the introduction of new artistic mediums.

Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿšซ The legality of selling AI-generated art on platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, and Society6 is not about copyright infringement but whether these marketplaces allow it.
  • โ— There is confusion online about the policies of various platforms regarding AI art, with some platforms providing clear guidelines while others do not.
  • ๐Ÿ“œ The speaker contacted multiple marketplaces to inquire about the legality of selling AI art, emphasizing the importance of understanding each platform's terms and conditions.
  • ๐Ÿ’ก It's important to note that permission from a marketplace to sell AI art does not override issues related to copyright infringement or trademark violations.
  • ๐ŸŽจ The term 'AI-generated' is used to describe art created with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools, regardless of whether some consider it 'true art' or not.
  • ๐Ÿค– AI art generators, like any other tool, have their own terms of service that users must adhere to, especially when it comes to commercial use.
  • ๐ŸŒ Some platforms, such as Spreadshirt and Threadless, have confirmed that AI art can be sold on their platforms as long as it meets certain quality and non-infringement standards.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Society6 was initially thought to be against AI art but has confirmed that artists can upload AI-generated artwork as long as they have the rights to the content.
  • ๐Ÿ›๏ธ Redbubble's response was vague and non-committal, not providing a clear answer on the legality of selling AI art on their platform.
  • โ“ Some platforms did not provide clear answers to the inquiry, leaving artists uncertain about whether they can sell AI-generated products on their marketplaces.
  • ๐Ÿ“ The speaker suggests that artists should not rely solely on AI-generated designs for sales and should instead use AI as a part of their creative process, combining it with their own unique designs and style.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is the legality of selling AI-generated art on various online marketplaces such as Redbubble, Society6, and others.

  • Why is the legality of selling AI art on marketplaces a concern?

    -The legality is a concern because while some platforms may not explicitly prohibit AI art, there is confusion and lack of clear policies regarding the use and sale of AI-generated content.

  • What does the video creator emphasize about consulting a lawyer for legal matters?

    -The video creator emphasizes that they are not a lawyer and advises viewers to consult a professional lawyer for legal matters rather than relying on information from a YouTuber.

  • What is the importance of checking the terms of service for AI art generators?

    -Checking the terms of service is important because some AI art generators may have restrictions on commercial use, and using their content for commercial purposes without permission could lead to legal issues.

  • How did the video creator attempt to get clarification from various platforms about selling AI art?

    -The video creator attempted to get clarification by contacting multiple platforms through emails, direct messages on social media, and by checking their terms of service and FAQs.

  • What was the response from Spreadshirt regarding the sale of AI-generated art?

    -Spreadshirt responded that publishing AI art on their platform is not an issue as long as it complies with their Marketplace and Community guidelines, and the quality is good enough for printing.

  • What was the response from Society6 about selling AI-generated artwork?

    -Society6 responded that artists can upload AI-generated artwork as long as they have the rights to the content created by the AI.

  • What was the video creator's experience with Threadless regarding AI art?

    -The video creator found a dedicated article on Threadless's blog that features shops using AI art, indicating that they allow it without needing to contact them for confirmation.

  • What was the response from Redbubble regarding the legality of selling AI art?

    -Redbubble did not provide a clear answer to the question of selling AI art, stating that artists are responsible for the products in their shop and must own the intellectual property rights to the material they publish.

  • What advice does the video creator give for using AI-generated content?

    -The video creator advises using AI-generated content as a blueprint, inspiration, or part of an actual design, rather than as the entirety of the final product.

  • What is the video creator's stance on the moral implications of AI art?

    -The video creator does not take a definitive stance, acknowledging that the topic is complex and that opinions on whether AI art is moral or harmful may vary.

Outlines

00:00

๐Ÿค” Legality of Selling AI Art on Marketplaces

The video discusses the legality and sustainability of selling AI-generated art on various online platforms. It emphasizes that while many claim the profitability of such sales, this video focuses on whether it's allowed on different marketplaces. The speaker clarifies that they are not addressing copyright infringement but rather the platforms' policies regarding AI art sales. The video also highlights the confusion and contradictions in the information available online and the speaker's efforts to get clear answers from multiple marketplaces.

05:01

๐Ÿ” Researching AI Art Sales Policies

The speaker recounts their process of researching whether AI art can be legally sold on platforms like Redbubble, Society66, and others. They mention finding no clear policies on these platforms' websites and taking steps to contact these platforms directly. The speaker also discusses the importance of considering the quality of AI-generated art for printing and the potential for copyright infringement when using stock photography.

10:03

๐Ÿ“จ Correspondence with Online Marketplaces

The paragraph details the speaker's attempts to get clarification from various online platforms about the sale of AI art. They describe their interactions with companies like Displayed and T-public, the latter of which did not provide a clear answer. The speaker also mentions consulting an intellectual property lawyer for a general opinion and finding online resources that discuss the topic.

15:04

๐Ÿšซ AI Art and Platform Policies

The speaker summarizes the responses received from different platforms regarding AI art sales. They mention that Spreadshirt allows AI art as long as it complies with their guidelines, while T-public did not give a definitive answer. Displayed's response indicated that while they do not limit AI-generated uploads, artists are responsible for the works they submit. The paragraph also addresses the importance of respecting intellectual property rights.

20:05

๐Ÿ—๏ธ AI Art Guidelines and Marketplace Responses

The paragraph outlines the speaker's findings from various platforms' guidelines and direct responses. It includes Zazzle's clear guidelines on tagging AI-generated content, Society6's allowance of AI-generated artwork provided the artist has the rights, and Threadless's positive stance towards AI art. Redbubble's response was less clear, not providing a direct answer to the legality of selling AI art on their platform.

25:06

๐Ÿค Final Thoughts on AI Art Sales

The speaker concludes with their thoughts on the process and the companies' responses. They express surprise at the lack of clear policies from some companies and the indirect answers received. The speaker advises against uploading a large volume of AI art without modification, as it is unlikely to sell. They also suggest using AI as a tool for inspiration or as part of a design, rather than as the sole content, and recommend checking the terms of service for any AI tool used for commercial purposes.

30:07

๐Ÿ“š Final Words and Next Steps

The speaker shares their final thoughts, emphasizing the need for a more considered approach to using AI in art creation for commercial purposes. They discuss the potential impact of AI on the art industry and the importance of understanding the historical context of art and technology. The speaker also mentions creating a playlist for their channel that includes all videos related to AI and hints at a future video that will explore the various ways they use AI tools.

Mindmap

Keywords

๐Ÿ’กAI Generated Art

AI Generated Art refers to artwork that is created with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the context of the video, it is the central theme as the speaker discusses the legality and practicality of selling such art on various online marketplaces. The video explores whether these platforms allow the sale of art that is not solely created by human hands but with AI tools, which has implications for copyright and the future of art creation.

๐Ÿ’กRedbubble

Redbubble is an online marketplace that allows artists to sell their artwork on various products such as stickers, t-shirts, and phone cases. The platform is mentioned in the video as one of the many places where AI generated art can potentially be sold. The speaker inquires about Redbubble's policy on AI art, which is part of the broader investigation into marketplace rules regarding AI-generated content.

๐Ÿ’กCopyright Infringement

Copyright infringement is the unauthorized use of works protected by copyright law. In the video, the concern is raised about whether AI generated art might infringe on existing copyrights, especially if the AI is trained on copyrighted material. The speaker clarifies that the legality of selling AI art on marketplaces does not negate the responsibility to avoid copyright infringement.

๐Ÿ’กEtsy

Etsy is an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items and craft supplies. The platform is highlighted in the video as the speaker questions whether AI generated art can be considered 'handmade' and thus allowed on Etsy. The discussion around Etsy's policy is significant as it touches on the broader debate about the authenticity and originality of AI-created works.

๐Ÿ’กMarketplace Guidelines

Marketplace Guidelines refer to the rules and regulations set by online platforms that govern what can be sold and how sellers can operate. The video scrutinizes these guidelines across various platforms to understand their stance on AI generated art. The guidelines are crucial for determining the legality and acceptability of selling such art from a platform's perspective.

๐Ÿ’กIntellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property rights are legal rights that protect creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works. The video discusses these rights in the context of AI art, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that artists own the rights to the AI-generated content they intend to sell. This is a critical aspect when considering the legality of selling AI art on different platforms.

๐Ÿ’กPrint on Demand (POD)

Print on Demand is a service used by the platforms mentioned in the video where products are manufactured, printed, and shipped only when a customer places an order. This business model is relevant to the discussion as it is the primary method by which AI generated art can be sold on these marketplaces without the need for upfront inventory.

๐Ÿ’กZazzle

Zazzle is an online retailer that allows users to sell their designs on various products through a print on demand service. The platform's policies regarding AI generated art are discussed in the video, with the speaker noting that Zazzle has explicit content guidelines that include provisions for AI generated content.

๐Ÿ’กSociety6

Society6 is an online marketplace known for its focus on artist-created designs on various products. The video reveals the platform's stance on AI generated art, which may contrast with its reputation for featuring works of 'true artists.' The discussion around Society6 provides insight into how different marketplaces approach the sale of AI art.

๐Ÿ’กCreative Fabrica

Creative Fabrica is a platform for buying and selling digital crafting goods, including AI generated designs. The video mentions Creative Fabrica as one of the places where AI art can be sold, provided it is uploaded to the designated AI generated category, indicating a specific policy in place for this type of content.

๐Ÿ’กAmazon

Amazon is a multinational technology company that operates an online marketplace. The video touches on Amazon's potential policies regarding AI generated art, particularly through its Merch by Amazon service, which allows for print on demand t-shirts. The discussion is significant as Amazon is a major player in the e-commerce space, and its policies can influence the broader acceptance of AI art.

Highlights

The legality of selling AI-generated art on various marketplaces is a topic of confusion and contradiction.

Many online platforms do not explicitly address the sale of AI art in their terms of service.

The video discusses the legality and not the copyright infringement issues related to AI art.

The presenter contacted multiple marketplaces to inquire about the policy on AI-generated art.

Spreadshirt allows AI art as long as it complies with their marketplace and community guidelines.

TeePublic did not provide a clear answer regarding the legality of selling AI art on their platform.

Display said that their verification system does not concern the art style or technique used, including AI.

Zazzle has a content guideline page explicitly mentioning the use of AI technologies.

Fine Art America has not responded to inquiries about AI art sales on their platform.

Society6 permits the upload of AI-generated artwork as long as the artist has the rights to the content.

Threadless features shops using AI art, indicating that they allow its sale on their platform.

Redbubble's response was vague and did not directly answer the question about AI art.

Imprint's website states that items entirely made with AI cannot be posted for sale.

Creative Fabrica allows the sale of AI art as long as it is uploaded to the correct category.

FY, a new marketplace, has not provided clear information about the sale of AI-generated products.

Etsy's terms of service require that sellers make their designs, which could imply restrictions on AI art.

Amazon's policies regarding AI-generated art are unclear, with no direct response from the company.

The video concludes that many companies lack clear policies on AI art, which might be intentional to avoid limiting sales.

The presenter advises against uploading low-effort AI designs and recommends using AI as part of a broader creative process.