NotebookLM Now Mimics 'The Simpsons' Style – But at What Legal Cost?
Google's NotebookLM Breaks New Ground – And Possibly Copyright Rules
Google's AI-powered NotebookLM has taken a bold step forward, removing previous style restrictions that limited its video generation capabilities. Now, users can create content mimicking virtually any visual style – including highly recognizable copyrighted works like The Simpsons.
Walking the Copyright Tightrope
The tool demonstrates remarkable precision in replicating specific animation styles. When prompted to create "Would Bart Simpson care about AI copyright issues," NotebookLM produced content that could easily be mistaken for an actual episode. Yet here's where things get legally fuzzy:
While copying the style, NotebookLM simultaneously plants its own copyright notice in the corner of generated videos. This creates a visual paradox – content that looks unmistakably like The Simpsons, yet bears Google's digital fingerprint.
Legal experts describe this approach as walking a fine line:
- The notices don't acknowledge using copyrighted material
- They don't fully protect against infringement claims either
- They position Google somewhere between caution and defiance
Disney's Legal Shadow Looms Large
The House of Mouse maintains one of entertainment's most aggressive copyright enforcement teams. Historically, Disney:
- Vigorously protects core IP like The Simpsons
- Rarely tolerates close imitations without legal action
- Sets precedent through high-profile cases
"Disney didn't build its empire by letting others play in their sandbox," notes media lawyer Alicia Chen. "If this becomes widespread, they'll likely respond forcefully."
Google's Calculated Risk Strategy?
The tech giant appears to be testing boundaries while maintaining plausible deniability:
- Symbolic safeguards: Copyright notices serve as first-line defense
- Future licensing potential: Partnerships could emerge if tools prove valuable enough
- Waiting game: Letting courts establish clearer AI copyright precedents first
The gamble? That transformative use arguments might protect them long enough for norms to shift.
Key Points:
- NotebookLM now generates videos mimicking protected styles like The Simpsons
- Generated content includes subtle but potentially insufficient copyright notices
- Disney historically defends IP aggressively; legal clash seems probable
- Google appears to be testing boundaries while maintaining flexibility
