The use of large language models (“LLMs”) has exploded in recent years, including in the generation of source code. But even as their usage gains popularit...
This is a great question, but I feel that the better question is: If a model was trained on open source code, should all code created by that model then be subject to the licensing from the code it was trained on?
I’m really hoping we can fix the current issues with the Supreme Court before this question comes before it because it’s going to be hilarious when every company that has used AI assisted coding is forced to publish their source code.
I would have looked into generating AI art if it required the same license as the training art.
Training data is frequently copied and used regardless of license. It appears the outputs of machine generated art not “human creativity”, thus not eligible for copyright.
This is a great question, but I feel that the better question is: If a model was trained on open source code, should all code created by that model then be subject to the licensing from the code it was trained on?
I don’t think it works like that, because if you use GPL code, then all derivative works of the code must be Open Source too. But you no longer know the original project and maintainers anymore and the original source code is “lost”. So just using GPL code to train wouldn’t solve the issue I think. The source code and license MUST give permission to do so, I feel like. And then all original source codes contributors that has been used to train have to be included in every project that makes use of LLMs output. I have no idea in detail, but its more complicated then just declaring the output to be Open Source automatically.
From what I understand from the article, generating code does not grant copyright, although of it is proven that most of the work is human made then you can have a copyright (to what percentage has to be manual work to have a copyright? Afaik, nothing is in the article). So with this in mind, I see that you cannot apply a license what essentially does not have a copyright (if most effort is not manual) but maybe someone can prove me wrong.
This is a great question, but I feel that the better question is: If a model was trained on open source code, should all code created by that model then be subject to the licensing from the code it was trained on?
I’m really hoping we can fix the current issues with the Supreme Court before this question comes before it because it’s going to be hilarious when every company that has used AI assisted coding is forced to publish their source code.
I guarantee you that will never happen. In the US? Do you live here? You think tech billionaires would ever suffer that kind of consequence?
I would have looked into generating AI art if it required the same license as the training art.
Training data is frequently copied and used regardless of license. It appears the outputs of machine generated art not “human creativity”, thus not eligible for copyright.
I don’t think it works like that, because if you use GPL code, then all derivative works of the code must be Open Source too. But you no longer know the original project and maintainers anymore and the original source code is “lost”. So just using GPL code to train wouldn’t solve the issue I think. The source code and license MUST give permission to do so, I feel like. And then all original source codes contributors that has been used to train have to be included in every project that makes use of LLMs output. I have no idea in detail, but its more complicated then just declaring the output to be Open Source automatically.
From what I understand from the article, generating code does not grant copyright, although of it is proven that most of the work is human made then you can have a copyright (to what percentage has to be manual work to have a copyright? Afaik, nothing is in the article). So with this in mind, I see that you cannot apply a license what essentially does not have a copyright (if most effort is not manual) but maybe someone can prove me wrong.