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AI art used without permission — am I screwed?

Started by hearsay_harry_26 · Sep 1, 2025 · 1,623 views · 7 replies
For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
HH
hearsay_harry_26 OP

Quick background on my situation — any input appreciated.

AI art used without permission. I've been dealing with this for about 12 months now and the situation isn't improving.

This involves software/code I developed over the past 10 months. I do have documentation proving my ownership and timeline.

What are my legal options here? Is it worth pursuing?

SO
sustained_overruled

Been there. Here's what I learned.

In my case, it took about 2-4 months to resolve. The key was hiring an attorney to send the initial letter.

TL
Kelly_TL Moderator

I've handled similar cases. Here's my take on the legal issues.

There are several legal theories that could apply here. The strongest is probably 17 U.S.C. § 106, which requires showing substantially similar.

The practical consideration here is cost vs. potential recovery. For disputes under $10K, small claims court is often the best route.

AC
amanda_c_17

Have you tried reaching out to your state's legal aid society? They sometimes have free resources or mediation services.

CR
cubicle_rebel_24

You could try handling it yourself but honestly a lawyer speeds things up 10x.

TV
teacher_vibes_16

Went through something like this -- ended up getting a lawyer involved which made all the difference.

JW
Justin_W_14

I've dealt with this before.

In my case, it took about 4-8 months to resolve. The key was filing with teh appropriate government agency.

FP
fine_print_reader_9

Dealt with this exact thing last year.

The thing that gets people is escalating to a supervisor/manager. I'd recommend following the formal complaint procedure instead.