Welcome to VP Land! Today we’ve got the US Copyright Office clarifying what can and can’t be protected when it comes to AI, Blackmagic offers a body-only version of the new URSA Cine 12K for a crazy low price, and ARwall’s AI studio gets closer to release.

Plus Gaussian Splats, because why not?

U.S. Copyright Office Clarifies Protections for AI Tools and Creations

The U.S. Copyright Office has published a detailed report on generative AI and copyright to emphasize the necessity of human authorship for copyright protection. The report clarifies that while AI can be a powerful tool in the creative process, it cannot replace human creativity in the eyes of copyright law.

The Details

• Purely AI-generated content cannot be copyrighted. In Thaler v. Perlmutter, the Office refused registration for an AI-created image, affirming machines lack legal authorship.

• Prompts alone are insufficient for authorship. Even detailed prompts (e.g., “cartoon spaceship”) are unprotectable ideas. The Office likened prompting to commissioning a work without controlling execution, as seen in CCNV v. Reid.

• Expressive Inputs: If a human-authored work (e.g., a hand-drawn sketch) is perceptible in the AI output, that portion is copyrightable. The Office registered Rose Enigma, where a user’s drawing influenced the AI-generated image, but disclaimed non-human elements.

• Modifications/Arrangements: Human selection or creative editing of AI outputs can qualify. The comic Zarya of the Dawn was registered for its human-authored text and arrangement of AI-generated images, treated as a compilation.

• Assistive AI does not undermine copyrightability, such as refining music tracks, removing photo imperfections, etc

Read More

SPONSOR MESSAGE

Receive Honest News Today

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Sign up today!

Blackmagic Unveils URSA Cine 12K Body-Only Deal for $6,995

Blackmagic Design introduces a stripped-down version of its high-end URSA Cine 12K camera, offering a more affordable option for experienced cinematographers and rental houses.

The new Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF Body maintains the same quality and features as the full kit but excludes many accessories, allowing users to customize their setup with existing gear.

Behind the Scenes

• Priced at $6,995, the body-only model offers significant savings compared to the full kit

• Includes a dual CFexpress media module instead of the 8TB module found in the full kit

• Features the same 12K large format RGBW 36 x 24mm sensor with 16 stops of dynamic range

• Capable of shooting up to 80 fps in 12K, 144 fps in 8K, and 240 fps in 4K

• Comes with an EF lens mount, with PL and LPL mounts available separately

• Includes built-in hardware for RTMP and SRT live streaming

Read More

ARwall's Infinite Studio Announces Private Beta

ARwall's Infinite Studio, a feature of their ARFX App for Windows, is now accepting closed beta applications, bringing it closer to launch. This tool aims to streamline virtual production processes for filmmakers and visual artists by integrating Generative AI technology.

What’s In The Box

• ARFX App offers instant access to a marketplace of high-quality, ready-to-use scenes. Infinite Studio allows users to create custom virtual backdrops using Generative AI

• The app includes six curated AI models for various aspects of production:

  1. Text-to-image generation with:

     • 8K upscaling

     • Depth map creation

  2. Text/image-to-video conversion

  3. Text/video-to-instrumental soundtrack

  4. Text/video-to-contextual sound effects

• Integration with Unreal Engine viewer and ARFX toolset for XR in-camera virtual production

• No coding or 3D design skills are required for operation

Read More

In-depth demo combining Jetset’s camera tracking data and Gaussian splats on a virtual production shoot.

🎥 ARRI introduces a more affordable ALEXA 35 Base model with limited ProRes recording, offering a cost-effective entry point for various production scenarios

💿 Sony is ending production of recordable Blu-ray discs by February 2025, signaling the decline of optical media storage in favor of digital streaming

🌀 Phantom's new T2110 camera captures up to 483,330 fps, offering advanced capabilities for motion analysis research

🎨 FilmLight introduces REMOTE for high-quality off-premise color grading without compromise

👔 Virtual Production Gigs

Technical Program Manager
Mo-Sys Engineering Ltd
London, UK

Internship - Virtual Production
Orbital Studios
Los Angeles, CA

📆 Upcoming Events

February 16 to 20
HPA Tech Retreat 2025
Rancho Mirage, CA

March 7 to 8
Cine Gear NY 2025
New York, NY

March 7 to 15 🆕
2025 SXSW Conference & Festivals
Austin, TX

April 6 to 9
NAB Show Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

June 5 to 8
Cine Gear Los Angeles Expo 2025
Los Angeles, CA

View the full event calendar and submit your own events here.

Thanks for reading VP Land!

Have a link to share or a story idea? Send it here.

Interested in reaching media industry professionals? Advertise with us.