VISUAL CREATORS
For your artistic side.

🔍 Adobe's Free Web App for Creative Rights

The Story: Adobe is taking steps to mend its image in the creative community with the launch of its free Content Authenticity web app. This platform empowers creators by allowing them to add Content Credentials to their digital works, protecting their content and ensuring proper attribution. By facilitating creator protection and providing control over how their artworks are used, Adobe aims to address the growing concerns around unauthorized AI use.

The Details:

• The Content Authenticity web app helps creators attach secure metadata to their content, functioning like a "nutrition label" to ensure proper attribution.

• Users can easily batch-apply Content Credentials to images, videos, and audio, embedding their name, website, and social media links for visibility and protection.

• The app allows creators to opt-out of having their work used in AI training datasets, promoting respect for their choices across the industry.

• An extension for Google Chrome will also be available, allowing users to inspect and recover Content Credentials and their history even if metadata has been stripped.

• A public beta is set for release in Q1 2025, signaling Adobe's commitment to a transparent digital ecosystem.

Why It Matters: With concerns regarding unauthorized use of creatives’ work mounting, Adobe’s new Content Authenticity web app could be a pivotal step toward rebuilding trust with artists. As 91% of creators seek reliable attribution methods, this app not only safeguards artists' rights but also promotes industry-wide respect for their choices. For photographers, filmmakers, and all digital creators, this move could enhance control over their work in an era increasingly dominated by AI – and that’s something worth rallying behind.

PRODUCTION MASTERY
The commercial aspects of creativity.

🎭 AI Artist Fights for AI Art Copyright!

The Story: Jason M. Allen, a Colorado artist known for his AI-generated piece, Théâtre dOpéra Spatial, is appealing to the courts for copyright protection after his work was denied by the U.S. Copyright Office. Allen argues that the decision fails to recognize the significant human effort and creativity he poured into the image, which won a local art competition. He contends that the use of the AI tool Midjourney was a means to express his artistic vision, rather than a simple automated process.

The Details:

• Allen initially sought copyright for his award-winning piece after it garnered controversy for beating human competitors in an art contest.

• The U.S. Copyright Office rejected his application, citing insufficient human authorship, as the majority of the image was generated by AI.

• His appeal argues that the rejection was influenced by negative media coverage and fails to acknowledge his iterative creative process that involved hundreds of prompts and extensive artistic input.

• Allen’s attorney indicated that the ruling raises vital questions about the future of AI in creative fields and the definitions surrounding artistic authorship in copyright law.

• He warns that denying copyright for AI-assisted works risks stifling creativity, causing disputes, and creating ambiguity in intellectual property rights.

Why It Matters: This case underscores the growing tension between artificial intelligence and traditional notions of authorship in art, an increasingly critical issue for creative professionals. As AI continues to expand its role in artistic creation, understanding copyright implications is essential for artists using these technologies. The outcome of Allen’s appeal could reshape how AI-generated art is viewed in the context of intellectual property, potentially paving the way for clearer definitions.

CREATOR ECONOMY
Navigating the digital creative world.

⚖️ EU's New Center Tackles Social Media Bans

The Story: The European Union is set to launch the "Appeals Centre Europe," a groundbreaking body allowing social media users to dispute content moderation decisions made by platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. This new entity, expected to kick off by the end of 2024, aims to provide a fair and independent venue for adjudicating user grievances while facilitating accountability for tech giants under the EU Digital Services Act.

The Details:

• Based in Dublin, the Appeals Centre Europe will address disputes related to content removal and user suspensions across major platforms initially and expand later.

• Users can appeal social media decisions for a nominal €5 fee, which will be refunded if the appeal is won, while companies will pay around €100 per case.

• Each case will be reviewed within 90 days to determine alignment with platform content policies, providing a vital check on social media practices.

• Although the Centre lacks the power to impose binding resolutions, it serves as a crucial intermediary, aimed at promoting transparency and user rights.

Why It Matters: This new Appeals Centre represents a significant advancement for social media accountability, giving EU users a formal platform to challenge decisions affecting their content. It’s not just a win for democracy in digital spaces but also a notable step towards powerful collective rights for individuals. With rising concerns over content moderation practices, this initiative under the EU Digital Services Act could reshape the relationship between users and tech giants, potentially influencing similar movements globally.

🔥 Press Worthy

📽️ VISUAL CREATORS

Meta's new AI tool, Movie Gen, allows creators to generate personalized videos in just 16 seconds using text prompts and images. While this will enhance productivity, concerns over fake content and job security in filmmaking loom large. Will it empower or exploit creators?

Beastgrip showcases its new DOF Adapter with the short film 'O₂,' shot on an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Filmmaker Stanislav Kapralov partnered with Atlas lenses to create stunning visual results, proving that mobile filmmaking can achieve a true cinematic feel without compromising quality.

📈 PRODUCTION MASTERY

The WGA advises members against working with Millennium Films, the studio known for the “Expendables” franchise. Citing late payments and non-signatory status, the guild is pushing back, claiming the company undermines writers’ standards. Members should stay alert!

Joker: Folie à Deux is facing a brutal reception, scoring just 33% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and 31% from audiences. Critics call it dull, while fans argue scenes featuring Lady Gaga are missing. The box office? A disappointing $114.8M, way below its predecessor.

🎭 CREATOR ECONOMY

Meta's recent Facebook upgrades aim to connect users in meaningful ways, offering a new Local tab to discover nearby activities and an immersive full-screen video experience. With Messenger Communities for smaller groups and AI tools enhancing engagement, these features focus on young adults and localized interactions.

TikTok Shop is pushing sellers to adopt live shopping, mirroring Asia’s ecommerce success. Despite skepticism from over 200 agency attendees at a recent summit, TikTok sees potential in this $100 billion market. Can western audiences embrace the live shopping trend?

📚 Learn & Grow

📽️ VISUAL CREATORS

• How Everyone Got Lost in Netflix’s Endless Library

• I shoot portraits for living, these are my best tips for buying a speedlight

📈 PRODUCTION MASTERY

• Can artists protect their work by suing AI companies?

• Neuroscience in Cinematography: Enhancing Emotional Impact Through Brain Science

🎭 CREATOR ECONOMY

• In a New Show, Frida Kahlo’s Art Reflects Her Personal Battles

• An interview with Taylor Lorenz about "dancing on the grave" of legacy media, the creator economy coming for journalism, and more