AI's recent advancements have captivated global attention. From generating images and videos to smart conversations and document processing, more and more people are experimenting with this emerging technology, leading to a rise in related controversies.
In Japan today (June 17), news broke regarding an AI application. A 66-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of copyright infringement after he unauthorizedly used AI to colorize, duplicate, and sell the original black-and-white film "Godzilla" online. He is estimated to have earned at least 1.7 million yen from this activity, sparking widespread discussion on X.
▼ "Godzilla Black and White Film Unauthorized Colorization and Sale Leads to Arrest" trended on X in Japan today.
According to police, the software used by the suspect to colorize the films likely possesses generative AI capabilities, and authorities are investigating whether he relied on such AI technology to create the colorized versions. Starting last November, without the original copyright holder's permission, the suspect allegedly produced colorized versions of the 1954 black-and-white film "Godzilla," then duplicated and sold them, infringing on copyright.
In addition to "Godzilla," he also colorized several other black-and-white films, converted them into DVDs, and sold them on online marketplaces and app platforms.
Police investigations reveal that between January of last year and May of this year, the suspect sold approximately 1,500 colorized DVDs online, with prices ranging from 3,000 to 30,000 yen, conservatively estimated to have earned at least 1.7 million yen.
However, some netizens commented on the news, suggesting that a 66-year-old capable of using modern AI for such a task must be talented, albeit in the wrong application.
Other users lamented that such incidents will only become more common in an era where AI is prevalent and convenient. Some felt that while the idea of colorizing old black-and-white films was interesting for personal use, selling them constituted a crime with no room for leniency.
Ultimately, having such an idea but committing copyright infringement led many netizens to express a sense of regret. It's debatable whether a 66-year-old capable of this feat was driven by passion and talent, or simply blinded by the pursuit of profit, knowing it was illegal.
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