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Copyright and AI-Generated Images and Videos:

4 min read

Copyright and AI-Generated Images and Videos

What Businesses Need to Know to Stay Legal

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are reshaping content creation. It is now easier for businesses to produce images and videos for use on websites, social media, and other digital outlets. All this is possible without the traditional hurdles of expensive photoshoots, special design skills, or complex video production. However, as exciting as it is, business owners must pose and confront the question of whether these AI-generated images and videos are legally safe for commercial use from a copyright perspective.

Understanding AI-Generated Content and Copyright

AI-generated content is created by training algorithms with massive datasets of existing images, videos, and text. The AI models then analyze patterns from the training data to generate new content. However, issues arise concerning the ownership of the generated content. Without clear legal guidelines, the ownership of AI-generated images and videos remains a gray area that leaves businesses and individuals vulnerable to potential disputes.

Most jurisdictions, including the United States and the EU, deny copyright protection to work purely generated by AI as it lacks human authorship. The U.S. Copyright Office stated that only content with human creative input can be eligible for protection. In its January 2025 report, the U.S. Copyright Office also states that copyrightability must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Laws differ globally. For instance, while the U.S. copyright office has rejected applications for AI-generated content, the U.K. allows copyright when a significant human intellectual effort guides the output.

Copyright laws do agree that a business risks infringement claims if AI-generated content resembles existing copyrighted material. So far, there has been a surge in the number of copyright lawsuits because of generative AI. A good example is Getty Images sued Stability AI, alleging its Stable Diffusion model copied millions of Getty’s photos without permission.

Generally, despite the efforts made to develop copyright laws for AI output, unlike content created by humans, there still lacks a clear legal framework for ownership and usage rights. For one, laws and legal frameworks struggle to keep up with the speed at which AI technology advances. This means that currently, no definitive, globally recognized legal standards firmly establish the copyright status of AI creations. For a business, although using AI visuals is not inherently legal or forbidden, it is best to be cautious and take due diligence.

Best Practices Every Business Owner Must Keep in Mind

  1. Read the terms of service (TOS)
    Every AI image and video generator has its own unique terms of service. Therefore, it is crucial to examine these terms carefully. Specifically, look for clauses that address issues such as commercial usage, ownership, indemnification, and TOS change policies.
  2. Understand model releases
    This especially applies where the AI-generated images may include recognizable human faces. In the same way that there are rights of publicity and privacy in traditional photography of human models, consider if this also applies to AI-generated faces.
  3. Documentation
    It is crucial to keep a record of each generated AI visual asset. Keep information such as AI platform used, prompts used, date of creation, TOS at the time of creation, and modifications made to the generated visual.
  4. Consider using well-established platforms.
    Although there is no AI platform that offers a 100 percent guarantee of copyright safety, it is safer to lean toward well-established and respected AI generators. Also, platforms trained using licensed or public domain data should be considered.
  5. Adopt the “human-in-the-loop” approach.
    This involves edits such as text overlays, color adjustments, or storyboarding. AI-generated content can be used as a starting point or for inspiration, but it is modified and refined by human designers. This results in a blend of AI assistant and human creative input to potentially mitigate copyright concerns.
  6. Seek expert legal counsel.
    When dealing with content that is central to a business identity, such as branding or major marketing campaigns, it is critical to seek guidance from an attorney specializing in intellectual property law.
  7. Stay informed
    Copyright law in the age of AI is not static; it is actively evolving. It is important, therefore, to commit to staying informed about legal developments, court rulings, and evolving practices. Business content strategies and practices also should be adjusted as the legal landscape changes.

Embrace the Future of Visuals Responsibly and Legally

The transformative power of AI to generate stunning visuals is promising to revolutionize business marketing and communication. However, business owners must approach this technology with a balanced perspective. That is, embracing its potential while avoiding copyright infringement, ensuring ethical content creation, and effectively safeguarding intellectual property assets.

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Protecting Critical Supply Chains, Recycling Programs and Victims of Digital Forgeries

3 min read

s 257, hr 825, s 351, s283, s 146, s281, s246Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2025 (S 257) – Introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) on Jan. 2, this bill is designed to promote resilient critical supply chains by identifying, preparing for, and responding to supply chain shocks to critical industries. The ultimate goal of the legislation is to encourage the growth and competitiveness of production and manufacturing in the United States using emerging technologies. The bipartisan legislation is currently under consideration in the Senate.

To prohibit individuals convicted of defrauding the Government from receiving any assistance from the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes (HR 825) – This bipartisan legislation would prohibit a small business with a high-level associate convicted of any crime related to financial misconduct involving a covered loan or grant from receiving any financial assistance from the SBA. It was introduced by Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX) on Jan. 28 and is currently under consideration in the House.

STEWARD Act of 2025 (S 351) – This bill was introduced by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) on Jan. 30. It would establish a pilot grant program to improve recycling accessibility and require the Environmental Protection Agency to collect and report on recycling and composting programs in the United States. The bipartisan bill is currently under consideration in the Senate.

Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act (S 283) – This bill was introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) on Jan. 28 and is under consideration of the Senate. It would require the development of a standard methodology to identify the country of origin of seafood transported for sale in the United States to support enforcement against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

TAKE IT DOWN Act (S 146) – Also introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), the purpose of this bill (also known as the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act) is to remove visual depictions of intimate acts from the Internet. Currently, machine learning, artificial intelligence and other computer-generated technologies are being used to create digital forgeries of identifiable people, including minors, without their consent. This bipartisan legislation was introduced on Jan. 16, passed in the Senate on Feb. 13, and currently lies with the House.

TICKET Act (S 281) – This bipartisan bill would require sellers of event tickets to disclose all relevant information about ticket prices and related fees to consumers at the point of sale in order to prohibit speculative and predatory ticketing. The legislation was introduced by Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) on Jan. 28 and is under consideration in the Senate.

Interstate Transport Act of 2025 (S 246) – This bill was introduced on Jan. 24 by Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC). It is designed to protect the right of citizens from any state to transport knives to other states without bumping up against state and local prohibitions. Such an act would not be subject to arrest for the possession or transport of a knife without probable cause that the person intends to commit an offense punishable by imprisonment of a year or more. The bipartisan legislation is currently under consideration in the Senate.

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What’s New in Identity Theft?

5 min read

What's New in Identity Theft?Identity theft is when someone steals your personal information and then uses it to commit fraud. They may access your Social Security or Medicare number, employee ID, utility, credit card or bank account numbers. Once the scammer has this information, he can conduct all kinds of crimes, such as withdraw assets from your accounts, open and close accounts in your name, take out loans or new lines of credit in your name, and even impersonate you if they get arrested – leaving you with a criminal record you may not even know about.

How Do Scammers Steal Your Identity?

Whereas scammers used to rummage through trash cans; today they can hack into your emails, social media, and personal accounts. That’s because we conduct so many of our transactions online now, they don’t even need to be physically present to take something from you.

Today, your data – contact information (e.g., phone number, email, address) and account numbers (e.g., financial, Social Security, employment ID) are all commodities that are bought and sold by both legitimate and illicit entities. Even the most harmless retail outlets solicit information, like your email and phone number in exchange for a 15 percent discount or free shipping. They can use this information for their own purposes and/or sell compiled lists to whoever will pay for it. The more you freely put your information out there, the higher your risk of identity theft or other forms of fraud.

Warning Signs

Paid Actors: Scammers may contact you directly via phone, email or text about a security breach or an offer you can’t refuse. They are professionals – they do this all day, every day, and know how to sound convincing. They may even trick you into giving out personal details (e.g., what’s your husband’s name? Are your parents still alive? How old is your daughter?) without you even realizing it.

Check Your Trust Instinct: Most people have an innate instinct to believe in the good of others, particularly those entrusted with our assets. That’s why when your bank calls, you become immediately concerned and receptive to their efforts to protect you. However, do not trust automatically and always verify.

Move Your Money: Let’s say someone from your bank calls and says they detected an unusually large transaction from your account. They may suggest you call your bank directly to stop the transaction and give you the local number to call. When you call, you may simply reach another scammer. They will often recommend you transfer your assets to a new account and close the old one to prevent fraudulent transactions by having a new account number – which the scammer will also have. If you are asked to move your funds to another account, this is a red flag.

SIM Swapping: If your phone stops working for no apparent reason, it’s possible your SIM card (or e-SIM) has been stolen. This is the memory chip found in phones, tablets, and smartwatches that stores your contact information, text messages, and passwords. It is incredibly valuable to scammers because it can enable them to log into your financial accounts. Even if you use two-factor authentication, he can intercept the code sent to your phone to verify your identity. He can then drain your assets, make unauthorized purchases on your debit and credit cards, and even lock you out of your own social media accounts by changing your passwords. Remember, immediately contact your carrier if your phone stops working. This may indicate that your phone number has been reassigned to another SIM.

How To Stop Today’s Scammers

The quicker you detect the problem, the faster you can shut it down and the less damage can be done to your personal and financial circumstances. Consider these tips:

  • Put a freeze on your credit report with each of the three (3) credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can unfreeze them any time you apply for new credit.
  • Request fraud alerts from any of the three credit bureaus.
  • Check your three (3) credit reports and your credit score every year for any changes or unfamiliar accounts.
  • Never invest based on the advice of someone you’ve only encountered online.
  • Add a trusted contact to your financial accounts, whom your financial firm may contact if you appear to be making unusual transactions.
  • Passwords are the bane of modern-day technology. One way to minimize how many you have to keep changing is to add multifactor authentication – a two-step process that requires you to enter a unique code sent via email or text message each time you log in to an online account.
  • Monitor your account activity. If you still get statements by mail, be sure to read them every month. If you do all your transactions online, review them at least once a month to ensure there are no unexplained charges.

And finally, if you ever have an encounter with a scammer, share your experience with your friends, colleagues, and family members. This is particularly helpful for older folks, who are less familiar with how technology is used these days. We tend to live in a bubble and assume our assets and our identity are safe since no one we know has ever been victimized. But in fact, some people keep quiet because they are embarrassed. Don’t be. Share your story with friends; spread the word so others are more aware and more vigilant. Fraud and identity theft can happen to anyone.

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Dissecting Bookings and Annual Recurring Revenue

4 min read

What is Bookings and Annual Recurring RevenueWith the number of Amazon Prime member subscribers growing from 58 million in 2016 to 180 million in 2024, according to Statista, there’s a sustained recurring subscription model that one of America’s most successful retailers has increased more than 200 percent in eight years. Whether it’s a large company such as Amazon or a solopreneur beginning their recurring subscription services, it’s important to first distinguish between overall bookings and recurring revenue; and then to illustrate how businesses can measure these two types of revenue.

Dissecting Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) and Bookings

Bookings are assurances of all anticipated earnings (recurring and one-off deals) because the business hasn’t satisfied the terms of the contracted services. Once it’s completed, the booking will turn into actual revenue. This factor is present in all sales deals, regardless of when revenue or cash will be transferred to the business from the customer. Non-recurring revenue includes training, special consulting projects, etc. (things that are one-off).

Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) is a way to gauge recurring revenue a business projects to earn on a yearly basis. It’s quite common in eCommerce industries – be it subscriptions for food, software, etc. that are billed on a monthly or annual time frame.

How ARR Helps Businesses Analyze Operations

Businesses can determine demand trends, which help forecast recurring revenue. Lenders and investors can see how (in)efficient a company is with its marketing and sales efforts. It gives business owners and management the ability to determine customer retention and growth prospects while it provides internal and external users the ability to estimate a subscription’s worth. Additional insight businesses can gain from this metric include how much new customers add, how much renewals and upgrades impact ARR, and how churn and downgrades impact ARR.

How to Value a Company Using ARR

One common metric is Enterprise Value divided by ARR (EV/ARR), which is similar but important to distinguish from the EV/Revenue ratio. Since the ARR only factors in recurring revenue versus the EV/Revenue, which factors in all revenue regardless of the revenue recurring, the initial ratio provides a better assessment of the recurring revenue only. Assuming a company has an ARR multiple of 7 and its ARR is $15 million, the ARR has an enterprise value of $105 million.

Monthly Versus Yearly Recurring Revenue

While Monthly Recurring Revenue is not an entry on a business’s financial statements, it’s more of a key performance indicator (KPI). It’s not uncommon for companies to include it as part of their earnings releases. If a recurring subscription revenue is done monthly, it’s converted into Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) as follows: MRR x 12 = ARR.

Recording Bookings

When a contract is signed, or an order is placed, it depends on how it’s handled. If the business receives cash prior to completing their monthly or yearly service expectation and say the contract is for $20,000 per month for 12 months, it would be recorded as follows:

Debit: Cash $240,000

Credit: Deferred Revenue $240,000

Since the contract has just been signed, but there’s been no product/service rendered, deferred or unearned, revenue has been created.

For every month that passes, the journal entry will progress as follows:

Debit: Deferred Revenue $20,000

Credit: Revenue $20,000

The deferred revenue account drops from $240,000 to $220,000, assuming the starting deferred revenue balance is even and there’s no deferred revenue.

The following month, the journal entries would be as follows:

Debit: Deferred Revenue $20,000

Credit: Revenue $20,000

This would occur every month until the end of the 12-month period.

Conclusion

When it comes to accounting for revenue, whether it’s booked, fulfilled by the company, or the payment received by the company, along with analyzing the time frame, it’s equally important to be familiar with the type of revenue it is for one to see how the company is performing.

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5 Tips on How to Track Monthly Expenses

4 min read

5 Tips on How to Track Monthly ExpensesKeeping tabs on what you spend isn’t hard. It just has to become a habit. But here’s the good news: Studies show that it only takes an average of 66 days to form a habit. A little over two months. With these easy ways to track your monthly expenses, you’ll be a regular money manager in no time.

Add Up Your Monthly Income

We’re talking about your regular paychecks – and extras from any side hustles. Have irregular income? No problem. Look at what you’ve made in the past few months and list the lowest amount as this month’s planned income. When you know how much you have to work with, you’ll be ready to dive in.

Calculate Your Monthly Expenses

Open up your bank account and start dividing your expenses into buckets, e.g., rent/mortgage, food, utilities, etc. The numbers may surprise you. Think about your needs and wants. What’s really important? What can you live without? Where can you cut? Or if you have a surplus, where should this money go? Regardless, here’s a good way to categorize your income:

  •  Four walls (food, utilities, shelter/housing, and transportation)
  • Other essentials (insurance, debt, childcare, etc.)
  • Extras (entertainment, restaurants, etc.)
  • Giving (10 percent of your income)
  • Savings (varies based on your resources)

Create a Budget

Now that you know how much you make and what you spend, do a little mat,h and you’ll have a sum total. Dave Ramsey recommends a zero-based budget, where you give every dollar a job to do, such as spending, saving, or giving. But in these categories, you’ll want to get more detailed. For instance, under Food, you might list Dining Out and Groceries. When you get specific, it’s easier to track where you spend.

Track Any Money You Earn and Spend

When you get paid, enter the amount. When you spend, enter the amount. This repetition contributes to forming a habit. If you need a bit more immediacy and structure, get a handy budget app for your phone. Mint (it’s free!), YNAB (You Need a Budget), and Simplifi are a few of many others. It might well be a fail-safe idea, given how much we humans love to be on our phones.

While tracking is super important for those who have a regular income, it’s even more important if you have an irregular income. As mentioned above, the recommendation is to plan around the lowest amount of money you make. If you happen to earn more in any given month, adjust the number and your current money goals. This way, you can cover some extras in your budget.

Tracking also applies to the money you spend. Enter every single transaction, then do that math. Whether your expenditure is coming from your bank account or piggy bank, keeping up-to-date on outflow is key to not overspending.

Create a Regular Rhythm for Tracking

This cadence is totally up to you and what works best for your life. It might be daily or weekly – or before you leave the gas station or grocery store. When you enter the amount of what you spent right after you do it, chances are you won’t forget about it. (Nod to the budget app!) If you’re married and/or have a partner, having a central location for money management increases communication and accountability. Neither one of you can say, “Oh, I didn’t know you were going to spend all our fun money on pickleball lessons. I wanted to sign us up for bridge at the community center.”

Having a handle on monthly expenses (tracking them) means being more aware of what’s going on, avoiding surprises, and being in control. And that’s a good thing for everyone.

Sources

How Long Does it Take to Build a Habit?

How to Track Your Monthly Expenses – Ramsey