AI digital textbook copyright assignment contract legal review

Law firm Veat reviewed the contract setting copyright for the AI-based learning program company A (hereinafter referred to as ‘the client’) for the AI digital textbook for mathematics.

The client requested a comprehensive legal review from Law firm Veat to ensure that the contract with a specific author would not conflict with existing copyright agreements.

The client’s existing contract included clauses prohibiting the production of other textbooks with content identical or similar to the ‘work,’. The Veat TIP team considered these points and comprehensively reviewed whether the newly contracted AI digital textbook constitutes the same or similar work mentioned in the existing contract, and whether the AI digital textbook falls under the category of a textbook.

A review of Article 19(2) of the Revised Elementary and Secondary Education Act and other regulations regarding textbooks reveals that ‘textbook’ refers to textbooks and guides, and ‘textbook’ refers to student-use books used by schools for student education, learning support software utilizing information and communication technology (digital textbooks), and other electronic works such as audio and video.

Therefore, the Veat TIP team analyzed in detail whether the AI digital textbook could be recognized as a textbook under the Revised Article 19(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Enforcement Decree, and relevant textbook laws, using these as judging criteria.

The Veat TIP team supported the client to proceed with the contract in compliance with the regulations of the Copyright Act and the Education Law and to ensure a safe agreement. Additionally, they explained the parts requiring measures to prevent copyright infringement by reviewing whether it would be the same or similar work.

As new forms of digital content, such as AI digital textbooks, become increasingly common, an accurate legal review of how such content is used within existing legal frameworks is essential.

It is desirable to have a legal review by a lawyer with extensive experience in reviewing various works, including works with the latest technology, to confirm whether the work has elements of identity or similarity with existing works, complies with intellectual property laws such as the Copyright Act and the Act on Prevention of Unfair Competition and Protection of Trade Secrets, and whether there is a risk of copyright infringement.

The Veat TIP (Technology Intellectual Property) team, specializing in copyright and intellectual property legal issues

Based on its expertise in copyright and intellectual property issues, the Veat TIP team provides specific and practical legal advice to clients.

The TIP team is led by Senior Counsel Seungjong Oh, a leading figure in the field of copyright, Managing Counsel Sung-ho Choi, recognized as a ‘Leading Lawyer’ in the TMT field by Legal Times, Partner Il-woon Ahn, Korean Copyright Committee Community Expert, and Senior Counsel Yong-hwan Jeon, with deep knowledge of ICT regulatory sandbox and practical service legal consulting.

In particular, Partner Il-woon Ahn, a certified IT specialist lawyer by the Korea Bar Association, is active as a member of the Curriculum Innovation Committee of Yonsei University’s AI Convergence College, understanding various legal issues that can arise at the intersection of AI technology and copyright, and providing legal advice.

Furthermore, Law firm Veat has entered into an MOU with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Machine Learning and Intelligence Lab, and recruited Professor Yang-ho Ahn as a technology advisor, conducting in-depth research on the legal issues of AI technology and effectively responding to legal changes following technological advancement.

If you need legal advice on copyright, intellectual property laws, including AI digital textbook works, please contact Law firm Veat.

Thank you.

From Law firm Veat