Who Owns the Output? AI Copyright & IP Explained w/ Chris Paniewski | Startup Legal Basics - This Week in Startups

Today’s show:

Jason sits down with Wilson Sonsini partner Chris Paniewski for part two of our Startup Legal Basics series on AI law — this time tackling the question every founder is asking: who owns the output of AI systems?

Chris has advised on some of the biggest AI deals in history, and in this episode he helps break down how intellectual property law is colliding with generative AI.

Jason and Chris cover:

What kinds of IP rights might apply to AI-generated output (copyrights, patents, trade secrets)
Why human authorship is central to copyright law
Whether prompts are protectable IP
How GenAI platforms’ terms of service affect ownership
Real-world examples from Star Wars to Wirecutter to Warhol
What startups should document when using AI in development
How investors diligence AI companies on IP strategy

If you’re a founder, investor, or operator trying to understand how to responsibly use AI without losing your IP, this conversation is essential.

Timestamps:

(0:00) Jason introduces part two of Startup Legal Basics with Chris Paniewski

(1:20) Star Wars example: using LLMs to generate existing IP

(3:10) Human authorship requirement in copyright law

(5:25) Prompts, super-prompts, and the role of creative control

(7:45) Photography analogy & the “monkey selfie” case

(10:00) Patents, inventorship, and AI-generated inventions

(12:05) Startups balancing speed to market vs. protectable IP

(14:15) How to layer human creativity on top of AI output

(16:20) Fair use, derivative works, and investor diligence

Check Out Wilson Sonsini: https://www.wsgr.com