Official Crackdown on AI "Remake" Videos: Upholding Legal Bottom Lines and Respecting Cultural Classics
By Chen Ting, China Daily commentator
With the rapid development of AI technology, AI "remake" videos have become increasingly frequent on short-video platforms, accompanied by growing controversy. Recently, the National Radio and Television Administration's Network Audio-Visual Bureau issued a notice titled "Guidelines for Managing AI 'Remakes'", which clearly states that AI "remake" videos severely impact our understanding of traditional culture, even going against the original spirit of the classics, and may infringe on copyright. Examples of such "remakes" include turning Jin Yong's "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" into a gunfight scene, reimagining the classic novel "Dream of the Red Chamber" as an action movie, and depicting Monkey King riding a motorcycle – all done to attract traffic by tampering with classic works, which has caused a shockwave in traditional culture.
The notice requires relevant provincial authorities to urge local short-video platforms to conduct thorough inspections and clean up AI "remake" videos by December 10. It also calls for strict enforcement of content review requirements for generative artificial intelligence, with a focus on self-examination of platform-developed large models or AI special effects features, as well as strict entry and monitoring of various related technical products used on the platforms. The notice emphasizes that AI-generated content should be clearly labeled.
The rapid development of AI technology has brought about immense benefits and innovation for creators and consumers alike, but it also poses a stern challenge to copyright protection and content regulation. The release of these guidelines signifies that regulatory authorities have recognized that the generation and dissemination of AI "remake" videos not only infringe on the legal rights of original creators but also undermine the healthy order of the online environment. However, due to the rapid iteration of AI technology, generating and disseminating "remake" videos has become increasingly convenient and stealthy, posing a significant challenge to regulatory work.
In addition to the complexity of technological issues, legal problems surrounding the regulation of AI "remakes" cannot be ignored. For instance, how can we define the scope of infringement by AI "remake" videos? How can we determine the responsibility of those involved? These questions still lack clear legal standards and require further research and discussion. Under current laws, copyright protection often struggles to keep pace with technological advancements, and existing regulations remain inadequate for monitoring AI-generated content. Therefore, companies should not turn a blind eye to this "infringing behavior" but rather take proactive measures, strengthen self-regulation, and collaborate with the government and other companies to promote the development of a well-rounded regulatory system.
For short-video platforms, it is essential to adopt more stringent content review measures, utilizing advanced technologies such as AI and big data to identify and filter out potential "remake" videos. Platforms should establish clear management systems, punish those who upload copyrighted content, and create a deterrent effect. Additionally, platforms should increase user education efforts, raise users' awareness of copyright protection and the law, and ensure that users clearly understand that AI-generated content must comply with relevant regulations, avoiding the use of "remake" videos as creative methods.
It is worth noting that governing AI "remakes" goes beyond the responsibilities of governments and companies – it requires joint efforts from all walks of society. The media should amplify publicity efforts to guide the public in establishing correct cultural values, respecting original content, and strengthening intellectual property protection awareness. Only through the joint participation of governments, platforms, technology providers, and all aspects of society can AI "remake" phenomena be effectively regulated, ensuring the legality and legitimacy of content creation and dissemination.