Who Holds Copyright and Responsibility for AI-Generated Content?

⏱️ Reading time: 10 minutes · 📁 Category: Artificial Intelligence & Law

Who holds copyright and responsibility for AI-generated content? (2026 guide)

Copyright in AI-generated content is a critical issue determining rights ownership and responsibility for texts, images, videos and other digital content produced with AI tools.
As of 2026, this field is still developing;
Turkey, like many countries, uses a framework shaped by legal practice and interpretation.

The fundamental question is: If AI produces the content, who holds the rights?
In most cases, the answer is clear: The person or organisation using AI is responsible, rather than the AI itself.
However, this can vary with the content type, use and level of contribution.

Short answer: The copyright in content produced with AI is in most cases owned by the user;
However, in the event of a breach, the responsibility is also on the user. Are content produced with AI subject to copyright?

Under Turkish law, copyright under FSEK applies to human-created works.
subject of copyright protection of content produced entirely automatically by artificial intelligence is controversial.

General approach:

• Human contribution → copyright may arise
• Fully automated production → copyright protection may be limited

Therefore, in AI content, "creativity contribution" is the determining factor.

Who owns copyright in AI content?

In practice, three different scenarios stand out:

User (the person entering the prompt)

The person who directs, edits, and finalizes content can make a copyright claim.

Platform (AI provider)

Some platforms reserve certain rights in content through their terms of use.
This makes the terms of use important.

Joint responsibility

In some cases, content may be subject to legal evaluation from both a user and a platform perspective.

B10 Insight: The greatest risk in AI content is not rights ownership, but
copyright infringement liability. Who is legally responsible for AI content?

AI is not a legal person. Liability is therefore assessed in relation to:

• The person or company using the content
• The platform publishing the content

These parties are assessed for liability.

In particular, liability may arise when:

Copyright infringement

Infringement may arise if AI-generated content resembles or derives from another work.

Brand infringement

Risk occurs if brand names, logos, or commercial elements are used without permission in the content.

Personal rights violation

Deepfake, fake content, or misleading visuals can have serious legal consequences.

Misleading content

Content containing false information can mislead consumers.

The biggest risks in AI-generated content

Although artificial intelligence can accelerate content production, it does involve some risks:

• Unintentional copyright infringement
• Different people generating the same content
• Dataset-related similarities
• Uncertainty about sources

Control requirement: The originality and usage rights of AI outputs cannot be assumed to have been automatically verified;
Therefore, it should not be used without checking. How to use AI content safely?

To minimize risks, the following steps must be implemented:

Content must be checked

The content produced must be examined before it is published.

Originality analysis must be performed

The similarity of content with other sources should be checked.

Use of brand and name should be careful

Third-party brand or person names should not be used without permission.

Terms of use must be examined

The licensing and use conditions of the AI platform should be considered.

Human contribution must be increased

Content must be edited, improved.

Where does AI copyright law go in Turkey?

Specific Turkish rules on AI and copyright have not yet been clarified.
The current framework is applied through interpretation of conventional copyright law.

In the future:

• Regulations specific to AI content
• Allocation of responsibility
• Dataset transparency

New legislation is expected in such areas.

B10 approach: AI content = legal risk area

At B10 Digital Agency, we see AI content production as more than a speed advantage.
We approach the process through copyright analysis, trademark protection,
risk assessment and content review
.

Because uncontrolled AI use poses unseen but serious legal risks.

Conclusion

Although copyright in AI-generated content often belongs to the user,
the user also bears responsibility.

When using AI content, the priority should be
legal security, rather than speed.

Let us safeguard your AI content processes legally