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Generative artificial intelligence: Use at University

Copyright and GenAI: Multiple perspectives

Copyright considerations when using Gen AI include the sharing/uploading of content, the content the tool ingests and learns from,  as well as the output of the Gen AI tool. 

The legal copyright landscape around GenAI is evolving, and there are some principles to follow:

  • Don't share copyrighted content of others, personal information or data, and any IP or copyright works you do not have the rights to share.
  • Check the scope of any tool and undertake a terms and conditions evaluation before use. 
  • Use data locked (private) tools as a preference, with the data staying within the University (enterprise licenced, ie University Co-Pilot)

Inputs: The content you add is your responsibility to ensure you have a licence or permission from the copyright owner to copy and reproduce their material.   

Outputs: The Australian Copyright Act doesn't acknowledge non-human authors for works, and AI cannot be named as an author or copyright owner in Australia.  However, attribution of your use of a GenAI tool is good practice. 

The tool terms and conditions:  Tools might use your content to train on, and be reproduced for others, or require sub licencing of content - check the terms and conditions. 

For all content, consider Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property protocols, privacy, sensitive personal information, and defamation. 

Any tool - private or public

Firstly, check that the tool is private, i.e., the data stays locked to the University, e.g., Federation Co-pilot licence.

  • If it is a public tool not licenced to the university, you can upload:
    • public domain (no copyright attached) or material where the copyright has expired.
    • content that you have created. However, consider that (a) you are giving it away, and (b) there may also be academic integrity issues.  
Private tool only (e.g., Federation Co-pilot)

You can upload the copyrighted content of others to GenAI only where the terms and conditions of their licence specifically allow it, e.g.:

  • Articles, book chapters, graphics, i.e., any content that is in copyright, if the terms and conditions specifically allow the content to be uploaded to Gen Ai. 
  • Federation-owned content 

AI platforms: Terms & conditions

We have summarised how the terms of service of some key AI platforms govern the use of their inputs and outputs. Please note that the terms of service may be revised without notice. The summaries below were last confirmed in June 2024. From: AI Platforms - Terms of Service by University of Adelaide Library licensed under  

AI Tool

Usage terms

Microsoft CoPilot

  • The platform claims no rights in the outputs

  • Users grant permission to the platform to reuse inputs and outputs (except subscription tiers where 'Commercial data protection applies'/green shield is indicated).
OpenAI ChatGPT
  • The platform claims no rights in the outputs
  • Users grant permission to the platform to reuse inputs and outputs
Google Gemini   
  • The platform claims no rights in the outputs
  • Users grant permission to the platform to reuse inputs
Rytr
  • The platform claims no rights in the outputs

  • Users grant permission to the platform to reuse inputs and outputs
AI Tool Usage terms
Microsoft Designer Image Creator
  • The platform claims no rights in the outputs
  • Users grant permission to the platform to reuse inputs (except subscription tiers where 'Commercial data protection applies'/green shield is indicated)
MidJourney
  • Users retain ownership of inputs and outputs, except employees of companies with over $1 million in revenue (such as University staff), who must purchase a Pro or Mega licence
  • Users grant permission to the platform to reuse inputs and outputs
Stable Diffusion
  • The platform claims no rights in the outputs
Adobe Firefly 
  • Users retain ownership of inputs and outputs
  • Non-subscribed users grant permission to the platform to reuse inputs and outputs
DALL.E 3 
  • The platform claims no rights in the outputs
  • Users grant permission to the platform to reuse inputs and outputs
AI Tool Usage terms

Runway

(text to video)
  • Users retain ownership of inputs and outputs
  • Users grant permission to the platform to reuse inputs and outputs

Pika Labs

(text to video)
  • Users retain ownership of inputs and outputs
  • Users grant permission to the platform to reuse inputs and outputs

Synthesia

(text-to-speech video)
  • Users retain ownership of inputs and outputs, excluding stock library content
  • Users grant permission to the platform to reuse inputs and outputs

Lumen 5

(promotional video)
  • Users retain ownership of inputs and outputs, excluding stock library content
  • Users grant permission to the platform to reuse inputs and outputs

Federation University

See: Copyright guidance: GenAI and content [PDF]

  • 2025 Copyright guidance note [Requires Federation internal login]

 

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