AI Tools Boost Productivity - But at What IP Cost

With the rise of generative AI tools transforming workflows across industries, businesses are tapping into their productivity-boosting potential at an unprecedented pace. However, as the legal landscape continues to evolve, Allens has published a timely and important analysis warning that intellectual property (IP) protections may not be as clear-cut as many assume when using these tools.

In their recent insight piece, the team at Allens provides a detailed look at the terms and conditions of various widely used generative AI tools - both free and paid. Their goal: to help businesses understand what they might be signing up for and where the key legal pitfalls may lie, particularly when it comes to IP rights.

A key takeaway from Allens’ review is that while these tools offer impressive capabilities, they also come with complex and varied licensing agreements. In many cases, users may not own the outputs they generate, or they may unknowingly grant broad usage rights to the tool provider. This creates a potential IP risk - especially for companies developing proprietary products, content, or data-driven insights.