The Ghibli style is one of the most recognized aesthetics in world animation, and in recent weeks it has become an inspiration for the digital age. An update to ChatGPT and other AI tools lets users generate images and photos that imitate this distinctive visual style.
But along with admiration came concern. A heated debate opened up over the legality of the trend and its impact on intellectual property, copyright, and image rights.
To what extent can AI replicate an aesthetic or a design without breaking the law? Are users giving up rights over their own images when they use this tool? In this article, we analyze the legal implications of this trend.
What is the Ghibli style, and why is it all the rage?
The Ghibli style is the hallmark of the Japanese studio founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki. It is characterized by detailed backgrounds, vibrant colors, expressive, human-like characters, and fluid animation with a strong emotional charge.
It is a style that represents not only a visual aesthetic but a creative identity protected by multiple layers of intellectual property. Although a “style” as such is not directly protected by law, specific elements such as characters, backgrounds, set designs, and even music are protected by copyright.
The automated imitation that AI achieves without reproducing exact images challenges these legal barriers and places the practice in a legal gray area.
The impact of AI and image transformation on intellectual property
With the recent launch of advanced AI image-generation tools, such as those built into ChatGPT, users can upload their own photos and automatically transform them into the “Ghibli style.” Although it may seem harmless, it has significant legal implications:
- Training models on protected works: if the model was trained on Studio Ghibli works without authorization, this would be a violation of copyright law, since it would involve the unauthorized use of protected material to create a derivative work.
- Users’ image rights: many platforms do not explain in detail what happens to uploaded images.
Do we know whether they end up being deleted, stored somewhere, or used to keep training models? Without explicit consent, there may be a violation of the right to privacy and the right to prevent unauthorized use of one’s personal image.
- Risk for human creators: the fact that artificial intelligence can easily imitate specific styles puts the work of artists and illustrators at stake. They are the ones who see their means of expression replicated by systems that are not subject to the same ethical or legal rules they are.
- Environmental impact: the energy and natural resources consumed by the large-scale operation of these technologies, such as water use in data centers.
Is it legal to transform images into the Ghibli style with AI?
Answering this question requires looking at several areas of law:
- Copyright and AI training: in most countries, intellectual property law protects original works from the moment they are created, with no need for registration. If the AI system was trained on Studio Ghibli works without a license, this could be considered indirect infringement, even if it does not reproduce entire works but only their style.
- Image rights and privacy: the photos users upload may remain stored on these platforms’ servers. If the terms and conditions are not clear, using these images for future training or exploiting them commercially could violate image and privacy rights.
In Argentina, Article 31 of Copyright Law No. 11,723 protects people’s likeness and prohibits its reproduction without consent. - Trademarks and commercial confusion: even if no registered logos or names are used, replicating such a specific style can cause confusion or create an improper association with Studio Ghibli. This could trigger claims for unauthorized use of a visual identity or for unfair competition.
- Lack of specific legislation: there is currently no law that comprehensively regulates the creation of content by artificial intelligence.
However, the rules on intellectual property, personal data protection, and copyright already provide certain mechanisms for framing and limiting these practices.
Conclusion
Generating Ghibli-style images with AI is a fascinating technological development, but the legal aspects must always be kept in mind. From training models on protected works to exposing personal data, this practice touches on multiple sensitive areas of law.
It is crucial for users to be informed before sharing their photos with AI platforms, to understand the risks, and to review privacy policies. The Ghibli-style craze highlights the urgent need to legislate on rights in the age of artificial intelligence.
In the meantime, responsibility lies both with the developers of these tools and with the people who use them. Using human creativity as raw material for intelligent machines cannot continue unchecked without clear rules. Because, as we know in intellectual property, creativity deserves protection.
Further reading:
Watch out: your image rights in the digital age.
Fútbol Libre: copyright infringement and piracy.
