Vibe Coding Adds More Cracks to Software’s Thin Copyright Shield

AI-composed source code threatens to eviscerate software’s already flimsy copyright protection, raising questions about whether the law should recognize a new form of IP to accommodate rapidly changing technology.

Known as vibe coding, the practice has become so widespread that companies like OpenAI and Anthropic promote the extent to which their programs are made with their artificial intelligence.

The problem: Courts have held an author must be human to enjoy protections under copyright law, echoing the US Copyright Office’s stance.

“Not enough people in the tech sector fully understand what is going on,” and we need to decide how ...