Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Copyright

VR/AR & ©

State of The Art:Ridiculously brief overview

George Howard Associate Prof, Berklee/BrownFounder GHS

GHS

GHS

First…the thought experiment that got me here

…Imagine a VR experience in which “Don’t Fear The Reaper”

was the soundtrack

GHS

…You ride through a field on a horse being chased by…

…a reaper

GHS

The sound recording and composition are clearly…

…being reproduced and distributed.

GHS

Equally clearly, there would be…

…a display.

GHS

But…what about…

…public performance and derivatives?

GHS

My point:

The current copyright code is (very) arguably equipped to

deal with these new iterations with respect to tech dev.

GHS

But…does it matter (is it overhyped)?

Did 2016 represent the “trough of despair?”

GHS

There were signs of traction:

Dominantly Pokemon Go and Snapchat

Spectacles

GHS

But no equivalent “killer app” for VR

…and some high-profile concerns (Magic Leap);

and underwhelming sales from Oculus, et al.

GHS

Still, there is undeniable energy in the space:

Facebook (owner of Oculus), Samsung or one of countless

startups will find product/market fit.

GHS

Any sufficiently advanced technology is

indistinguishable from magic.

Those who have experienced it, realize it’s

not “if,” but “when”

GHS

And…sufficient and cheap defeats

great and expensive

Startup that offers AI-powered music composition

raised $4 million in funding.

GHS

With absolutely NO respect to Trump’s top

economic advisor…

…you’re either an idiot or have a hidden agenda (or both)

“In terms of artificial intelligence taking over the jobs, I

think we’re so far away from that that it’s not even on

my radar screen,” Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin

told an audience in Washington. “I think it’s 50 or 100

more years.”

GHS

In the United States, computer programs are literary

works, under the definition in the Copyright Act

--17 U.S.C. § 101

The “work product” of these programs may be

construed as wmfh; thus © enures to the © holder of

the program...maybe

GHS

This should send chills through the hearts of

those who own music libraries/write for picture.

Or, perhaps, it will have the same impact as drum

machines did on obviating drummers

GHS

Coming soon(ish): AI DAOs (art/music

DAOs) (h/Trent McConaghy):

A decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) is a self-

governing organization under the control of an

incorruptible set of business rules.

GHS

Challenges /Opportunities:

View these emerging innovations as expanders of the pie

for content creators/rightsholders.

Do not repeat the habits with respect to attempting to quash new

innovations.

GHS

Thank you

@gah650

gah650@gmail.com