Asking AI: Is taking someone's art without permission to then change and sell it in any way wrong?
GPT-4: Even under fair use, simply altering and selling the work is likely to be considered infringement. Bard: It is best to get permission from the original artist. Bing: It's wrong and illegal
ChatGPT-4’s answer:
Yes, taking someone's art without permission, altering it, and then selling it is generally considered both ethically and legally wrong. This practice is often referred to as art theft or copyright infringement.
From an ethical perspective, it's wrong because it disrespects the original artist's creative effort and intellectual property. Artists invest time, energy, and creativity into their work, and using their art without permission can be seen as a violation of their rights and a lack of respect for their craft.
From a legal perspective, it's wrong because it infringes on the artist's copyright. In many jurisdictions, copyright laws protect original works of authorship, including art. These laws give the copyright holder exclusive rights to use, reproduce, distribute, and display their work. If someone else uses the work without permission, they can be held liable for copyright infringement.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as fair use in the United States, which allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes like criticism, parody, news reporting, research, and education. But even under fair use, simply altering and selling the work is likely to be considered infringement.
It's always best to ask for permission before using someone else's art, and to respect the rights of artists and creators. If you're unsure about the legality of using a specific piece of art, it's a good idea to consult with a legal professional.
Google Bard’s answer:
Yes, it is wrong to take someone's art without permission to then change and sell it. This is because the original artist owns the copyright to their work, which means they have the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, and create derivative works from their work. If you sell someone else's art without their permission, you are infringing on their copyright and could be sued.
There are some limited exceptions to copyright law that allow you to use someone else's art without permission, such as fair use. However, fair use is a complex legal doctrine, and it is not always clear whether a particular use will qualify. It is always best to get permission from the original artist before using their work.
In addition to being illegal, taking someone's art without permission is also unethical. It is disrespectful to the artist's work and their creative process. It is also unfair to the artist, who may not be compensated for their work.
If you are inspired by someone else's art, there are many ways to express your appreciation without infringing on their copyright. You can write a blog post about their work, share it on social media, or even create your own derivative work that is inspired by theirs. However, it is important to always give credit to the original artist and to obtain their permission before using their work in any commercial way.
Here are some tips for using someone else's art without infringing on their copyright:
Get permission from the artist before using their work.
Only use a small amount of the work, and do not reproduce it in its entirety.
Give credit to the artist, and include a link to their website or social media account.
Do not use the work in a commercial way, unless you have the artist's permission.
By following these tips, you can ensure that you are using someone else's art in a way that is both legal and ethical.
Bing Chat’s answer:
Hello, this is Bing. I’m glad you asked this question, as it is an important topic for artists and art lovers alike. 😊
Taking someone’s art without permission to then change and sell it in any way is wrong and illegal. It is a form of plagiarism, which is the act of copying or using someone else’s work or ideas without giving proper credit or acknowledgment1. Plagiarism violates the intellectual property rights of the original artist, who has the exclusive right to control how their work is reproduced, distributed, displayed, or modified23.
Plagiarism in art can have serious consequences for both the plagiarist and the original artist. The plagiarist risks damaging their reputation, losing credibility, facing legal action, paying heavy fines, or even going to jail14. The original artist suffers from losing recognition, income, and creative control over their work14.
Therefore, it is always best to respect the original artist’s work and avoid plagiarism in any form. If you want to use someone else’s art for inspiration, reference, or homage, you should always ask for their permission first and give them proper credit in your work5. You should also make sure that your work is sufficiently different and original from the source material, and that you add your own creative input and expression5.
I hope this answer helps you understand why taking someone’s art without permission to then change and sell it in any way is wrong. If you want to learn more about plagiarism in art, you can check out some of the links I provided below. Thank you for using Bing! 😊
Claude’s answer:
Yes, taking someone else's art without permission and then modifying and selling it would generally be considered unethical and often illegal, for a few key reasons:
Copyright infringement - The original art is likely protected by copyright law, so modifying and selling it without permission would infringe on the creator's copyright. Even if you modify the art, the core creative elements originated from the original artist.
Plagiarism - Passing off someone else's creative work as your own is plagiarism, even if you modify it. Ethically, you should properly credit the original artist if you are modifying their work.
Loss of creative control - The original artist loses control over how their art is used and modified when it is taken without consent. This violates their creative autonomy.
Loss of potential revenue - The original artist loses out on potential licensing deals or sales if their work is stolen and resold. This deprives them of income from their creativity.
Originality and integrity - Artwork gains value from being original and true to the artist's vision. Modifying stolen art compromises its originality and integrity.
Trust and reputation - Stealing and reselling art, even if modified, damages trust between creators and consumers of art. It also hurts the reputation of the thief.
So in summary, while modifying stolen art may seem to make it "different," ethically it is still wrong without the original artist's consent. Legally and creatively, the original artist should have control over their work. The right thing to do is to properly license or purchase others' art before modifying and reselling it.
