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For example, when users generate a high-resolution JPEG in MidJourney or similar platforms, the default output is not copyrightable. The barrier to modifying these images is substantial unless you possess advanced editing skills or invest considerable time, as only a minority of users do.
The Importance of Human Modification
The speaker highlights that making AI images truly "owned" involves human effort—transforming and editing the outputs to create something unique. Referencing a peer, Brian Fanso, who dedicated nine hours to modifying a MidJourney image, showcases how substantive work can add a layer of ownership. His modified piece now hangs on walls and even adorns a car, exemplifying how human touch elevates AI-generated art into something legally ownable.