Laws differ globally. For instance, while the U.S. copyright office has rejected applications for AI-generated content, the U.K. allows copyright when a significant human intellectual effort guides the output.
Copyright laws do agree that a business risks infringement claims if AI-generated content resembles existing copyrighted material. So far, there has been a surge in the number of copyright lawsuits because of generative AI. A good example is Getty Images sued Stability AI, alleging its Stable Diffusion model copied millions of Getty’s photos without permission.
Generally, despite the efforts made to develop copyright laws for AI output, unlike content created by humans, there still lacks a clear legal framework for ownership and usage rights. For one, laws and legal frameworks struggle to keep up with the speed at which AI technology advances. This means that currently, no definitive, globally recognized legal standards firmly establish the copyright status of AI creations. For a business, although using AI visuals is not inherently legal or forbidden, it is best to be cautious and take due diligence.
Best Practices Every Business Owner Must Keep in Mind
Read the terms of service (TOS) Every AI image and video generator has its own unique terms of service. Therefore, it is crucial to examine these terms carefully. Specifically, look for clauses that address issues such as commercial usage, ownership, indemnification, and TOS change policies.
Understand model releases This especially applies where the AI-generated images may include recognizable human faces. In the same way that there are rights of publicity and privacy in traditional photography of human models, consider if this also applies to AI-generated faces.
Documentation It is crucial to keep a record of each generated AI visual asset. Keep information such as AI platform used, prompts used, date of creation, TOS at the time of creation, and modifications made to the generated visual.
Consider using well-established platforms. Although there is no AI platform that offers a 100 percent guarantee of copyright safety, it is safer to lean toward well-established and respected AI generators. Also, platforms trained using licensed or public domain data should be considered.
Adopt the “human-in-the-loop” approach. This involves edits such as text overlays, color adjustments, or storyboarding. AI-generated content can be used as a starting point or for inspiration, but it is modified and refined by human designers. This results in a blend of AI assistant and human creative input to potentially mitigate copyright concerns.
Seek expert legal counsel. When dealing with content that is central to a business identity, such as branding or major marketing campaigns, it is critical to seek guidance from an attorney specializing in intellectual property law.
Stay informed Copyright law in the age of AI is not static; it is actively evolving. It is important, therefore, to commit to staying informed about legal developments, court rulings, and evolving practices. Business content strategies and practices also should be adjusted as the legal landscape changes.
Embrace the Future of Visuals Responsibly and Legally
The transformative power of AI to generate stunning visuals is promising to revolutionize business marketing and communication. However, business owners must approach this technology with a balanced perspective. That is, embracing its potential while avoiding copyright infringement, ensuring ethical content creation, and effectively safeguarding intellectual property assets.
Powell CPA PLLC
Copyright and AI-Generated Images and Videos:
March 1, 2025 · Blog, What's New in Technology
⏱ 4 min read
What Businesses Need to Know to Stay Legal
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are reshaping content creation. It is now easier for businesses to produce images and videos for use on websites, social media, and other digital outlets. All this is possible without the traditional hurdles of expensive photoshoots, special design skills, or complex video production. However, as exciting as it is, business owners must pose and confront the question of whether these AI-generated images and videos are legally safe for commercial use from a copyright perspective.
Understanding AI-Generated Content and Copyright
AI-generated content is created by training algorithms with massive datasets of existing images, videos, and text. The AI models then analyze patterns from the training data to generate new content. However, issues arise concerning the ownership of the generated content. Without clear legal guidelines, the ownership of AI-generated images and videos remains a gray area that leaves businesses and individuals vulnerable to potential disputes.
Most jurisdictions, including the United States and the EU, deny copyright protection to work purely generated by AI as it lacks human authorship. The U.S. Copyright Office stated that only content with human creative input can be eligible for protection. In its January 2025 report, the U.S. Copyright Office also states that copyrightability must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Laws differ globally. For instance, while the U.S. copyright office has rejected applications for AI-generated content, the U.K. allows copyright when a significant human intellectual effort guides the output.
Copyright laws do agree that a business risks infringement claims if AI-generated content resembles existing copyrighted material. So far, there has been a surge in the number of copyright lawsuits because of generative AI. A good example is Getty Images sued Stability AI, alleging its Stable Diffusion model copied millions of Getty’s photos without permission.
Generally, despite the efforts made to develop copyright laws for AI output, unlike content created by humans, there still lacks a clear legal framework for ownership and usage rights. For one, laws and legal frameworks struggle to keep up with the speed at which AI technology advances. This means that currently, no definitive, globally recognized legal standards firmly establish the copyright status of AI creations. For a business, although using AI visuals is not inherently legal or forbidden, it is best to be cautious and take due diligence.
Best Practices Every Business Owner Must Keep in Mind
Read the terms of service (TOS) Every AI image and video generator has its own unique terms of service. Therefore, it is crucial to examine these terms carefully. Specifically, look for clauses that address issues such as commercial usage, ownership, indemnification, and TOS change policies.
Understand model releases This especially applies where the AI-generated images may include recognizable human faces. In the same way that there are rights of publicity and privacy in traditional photography of human models, consider if this also applies to AI-generated faces.
Documentation It is crucial to keep a record of each generated AI visual asset. Keep information such as AI platform used, prompts used, date of creation, TOS at the time of creation, and modifications made to the generated visual.
Consider using well-established platforms. Although there is no AI platform that offers a 100 percent guarantee of copyright safety, it is safer to lean toward well-established and respected AI generators. Also, platforms trained using licensed or public domain data should be considered.
Adopt the “human-in-the-loop” approach. This involves edits such as text overlays, color adjustments, or storyboarding. AI-generated content can be used as a starting point or for inspiration, but it is modified and refined by human designers. This results in a blend of AI assistant and human creative input to potentially mitigate copyright concerns.
Seek expert legal counsel. When dealing with content that is central to a business identity, such as branding or major marketing campaigns, it is critical to seek guidance from an attorney specializing in intellectual property law.
Stay informed Copyright law in the age of AI is not static; it is actively evolving. It is important, therefore, to commit to staying informed about legal developments, court rulings, and evolving practices. Business content strategies and practices also should be adjusted as the legal landscape changes.
Embrace the Future of Visuals Responsibly and Legally
The transformative power of AI to generate stunning visuals is promising to revolutionize business marketing and communication. However, business owners must approach this technology with a balanced perspective. That is, embracing its potential while avoiding copyright infringement, ensuring ethical content creation, and effectively safeguarding intellectual property assets.
Disclaimer
These articles provide general information on tax, accounting, and financial topics for small businesses and individuals. They are educational in nature and are not specific legal, accounting, financial, tax, or other professional advice, and should not be relied upon as such. This content was prepared by Service2Client and may have been reviewed or edited by the website owner for accuracy and compliance. Look for a trust mark below for verification details. No representation is made that any approach described will achieve a particular result, and no regulatory or professional body has reviewed or endorsed this content. Because each situation is different, readers should consult a qualified professional about their specific circumstances before acting. Images accompanying these articles are protected by copyright and may not be copied or reused.
April 15, 2025: Unless you request an extension, this is the most important deadline for personal income taxes. It’s also the deadline to pay any taxes you owe so you can avoid late payment penalties and interest. If you make quarterly payments, this is also your deadline. Also, there is an exception for South Carolina residents due to Hurricane Helene; their deadline is extended to May 1, 2025.
June 17, 2025: If you’re a U.S. citizen living abroad, including military personnel stationed outside the country, this is your deadline. Even though you automatically receive an extra two months without filing an extension, interest still applies to any unpaid tax after April 15.
September 15, 2025: If you’re self-employed and earn significant non-wage income, this is the third quarter estimated tax payment deadline for the 2025 tax year.
October 15, 2025: This is your deadline if you filed for an extension in April. If you don’t make this date, you could pay extra fees and penalties.
Child Tax Credits Have Changed
The maximum Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) amount has increased to $1,700 for each qualifying child. And good news if you live in Puerto Rico: You’ll no longer be required to have three or more qualifying children to claim ACTC. Now you just need one or more.
Standard Deductions Have Increased
For 2024, here’s a snapshot:
Single or married filing separately – $14,600
Head of household – $21,900
Married filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouse – $29,200
For more information about the changes to 2024 taxes, go here to review.
Take Care of Name Changes Pronto
This is for those who have had a name change as a result of marriage or divorce. This also applies if you have people who work for you who have had these changes. Whether it’s you or your employees, contact the Social Security Administration as soon as possible. If names and numbers don’t align, the processing of taxes and refunds will be delayed.
Make Sure ITINS Are Current
That’s Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers. People who have these generally don’t have a Social Security number. If this pertains to you or any of your employees, check the expiration dates; if necessary, renew them as soon as possible.
Create an IRS Online Account
When you create this account, you get secure access to your tax information, including payment history, all your tax records and other important tax data. When everything is digital, you can streamline your prep time, and it can help you identify overlooked deductions or credits.
Filling out your taxes the right way takes time. However, the smartest tactic to ensure your taxes are prepared correctly is to consult a professional tax advisor. No matter how you end up tackling your taxes, it makes good sense to start early and learn as much as you can about IRS tax changes. This way, you’ll have less chance of encountering any hiccups along the way.
Sources
Tax Tips for IRS Filing in 2025 (TY 2024) – The Boom Post
Tax season 2025: All the deadlines taxpayers should know – CBS News
Tax Time Guide 2025: Essentials needed for filing a 2024 tax return | Internal Revenue Service
Powell CPA PLLC
6 Tax Filing Tips & Important Info for 2025
March 1, 2025 · Blog, Tip of the Month
⏱ 4 min read
As Benjamin Franklin said, there’s only two certainties in life: death and taxes. With the former, you don’t have much control over; however, the latter can be affected. That’s why we’re here to give you some tips and info about filing in our changing landscape.
Remember Key Deadlines
Whether it’s scheduling an alarm on your phone or penning it old school-style on a notepad, it’s critical to keep track of when your taxes are due. Of course, you’ll want to start early. When you do this, you have enough time to gather your info and forms, and make sure you don’t make any mistakes. That said, here are some important dates you’ll want to keep in mind.
April 15, 2025: Unless you request an extension, this is the most important deadline for personal income taxes. It’s also the deadline to pay any taxes you owe so you can avoid late payment penalties and interest. If you make quarterly payments, this is also your deadline. Also, there is an exception for South Carolina residents due to Hurricane Helene; their deadline is extended to May 1, 2025.
June 17, 2025: If you’re a U.S. citizen living abroad, including military personnel stationed outside the country, this is your deadline. Even though you automatically receive an extra two months without filing an extension, interest still applies to any unpaid tax after April 15.
September 15, 2025: If you’re self-employed and earn significant non-wage income, this is the third quarter estimated tax payment deadline for the 2025 tax year.
October 15, 2025: This is your deadline if you filed for an extension in April. If you don’t make this date, you could pay extra fees and penalties.
Child Tax Credits Have Changed
The maximum Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) amount has increased to $1,700 for each qualifying child. And good news if you live in Puerto Rico: You’ll no longer be required to have three or more qualifying children to claim ACTC. Now you just need one or more.
Standard Deductions Have Increased
For 2024, here’s a snapshot:
Single or married filing separately – $14,600
Head of household – $21,900
Married filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouse – $29,200
For more information about the changes to 2024 taxes, go here to review.
Take Care of Name Changes Pronto
This is for those who have had a name change as a result of marriage or divorce. This also applies if you have people who work for you who have had these changes. Whether it’s you or your employees, contact the Social Security Administration as soon as possible. If names and numbers don’t align, the processing of taxes and refunds will be delayed.
Make Sure ITINS Are Current
That’s Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers. People who have these generally don’t have a Social Security number. If this pertains to you or any of your employees, check the expiration dates; if necessary, renew them as soon as possible.
Create an IRS Online Account
When you create this account, you get secure access to your tax information, including payment history, all your tax records and other important tax data. When everything is digital, you can streamline your prep time, and it can help you identify overlooked deductions or credits.
Filling out your taxes the right way takes time. However, the smartest tactic to ensure your taxes are prepared correctly is to consult a professional tax advisor. No matter how you end up tackling your taxes, it makes good sense to start early and learn as much as you can about IRS tax changes. This way, you’ll have less chance of encountering any hiccups along the way.
Sources
Tax Tips for IRS Filing in 2025 (TY 2024) – The Boom Post
Tax season 2025: All the deadlines taxpayers should know – CBS News
Tax Time Guide 2025: Essentials needed for filing a 2024 tax return | Internal Revenue Service
Disclaimer
These articles provide general information on tax, accounting, and financial topics for small businesses and individuals. They are educational in nature and are not specific legal, accounting, financial, tax, or other professional advice, and should not be relied upon as such. This content was prepared by Service2Client and may have been reviewed or edited by the website owner for accuracy and compliance. Look for a trust mark below for verification details. No representation is made that any approach described will achieve a particular result, and no regulatory or professional body has reviewed or endorsed this content. Because each situation is different, readers should consult a qualified professional about their specific circumstances before acting. Images accompanying these articles are protected by copyright and may not be copied or reused.
Some areas where vertical AI agents are used include finance to enhance risk assessment models and provide insights into market trends and investment opportunities.
Banking institutions are also deploying vertical AI agents to detect fraud in real-time and reduce manual intervention.
In retail verticals, AI agents help personalize product suggestions for customers.
It is important to note that the success of vertical AI precision depends on its ability to solve clear and specific problems. It leverages industry-specific data and domain expertise to deliver solutions that have better precision than general AI systems.
As such, some companies have begun building their own AI tools by using their datasets to create tailored solutions for their specific industry challenges.
Key Benefits of Vertical AI Agents for Niche Markets
Increased operational efficiency – Frees human resources by automating complex and repetitive tasks to increase productivity. Employees have more time to focus on tasks that require creativity, strategy, or problem-solving.
Enhanced accuracy and decision-making – Vertical AI agents are trained on vast amounts of industry-specific data. As a result, they deliver more accurate and consistent results. This reduces human error, which may have dire consequences in critical high-stakes fields such as healthcare and finance.
Cost saving – automating tasks traditionally performed by large teams helps reduce costs. It lowers payroll expenses and minimizes operational costs. This enables companies to reallocate resources to innovation and growth rather than to routine tasks.
Unlock new markets – traditional software solutions may struggle to penetrate niche markets. This is because of their complexity or unstructured data requirements. However, vertical AI agents handle these challenges effectively, opening up new revenue opportunities in previously underserved segments.
Improved customer experience – vertical AI agents enhance customer interaction since they can provide personalized service and faster response time.
Competitive advantage – businesses leveraging vertical AI agents have a significant competitive edge over competitors relying on generalized solutions.
Driving innovation – vertical AI agents streamline operations and offer data-driven recommendations. This enables businesses to experiment and develop cutting-edge products and services. Ultimately, a business can maintain a competitive edge in niche markets.
Challenges and Considerations
Vertical AI agents have compelling benefits but also come with some challenges. A business must navigate the potential challenges during implementation. This includes integration with existing systems, data privacy concerns, employee resistance, and the need for ongoing human oversight. The good news is that with careful planning and a strategic approach, it is easy to overcome these challenges and fully realize the benefits of vertical AI.
Closing Thoughts
Automation has become a critical tool for businesses that want to remain competitive. As the demand for smarter and more efficient operations rises, vertical AI agents are emerging as a solution. These advanced AI solutions deliver targeted results by focusing on niche applications. As AI continues to advance, vertical AI agents will become more efficient and accessible, integrating with broader systems.
Powell CPA PLLC
Why Your Business Needs a Vertical AI Agent: Top Benefits for Niche Markets
February 1, 2025 · Blog, What's New in Technology
⏱ 4 min read
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is continuously transforming how businesses operate, offering opportunities for efficiency, innovation, and growth. However, in an increasingly competitive landscape, businesses seek solutions tailored to their specific industries. To meet this demand for more tailored tools, vertical AI agents are emerging as key to staying ahead in the age of specialization.
What are Vertical AI Agents?
Vertical AI agents are designed to solve specific problems within industries in areas such as finance, retail, and healthcare. This differs from horizontal AI, which provides general capabilities across various sectors. Horizontal AI cross-functional applications such as marketing automation are applicable across different sectors. These horizontal AI solutions were witnessed in the early days of AI, when companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon created broad AI solutions. These solutions handle multiple tasks but are not optimized for any specific ones.
Vertical AI has been enabled by advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs), which now possess the capability to process complex, industry-specific data and automate complex tasks. These breakthroughs and the inefficiencies of outdated technologies in many industries have created a demand for specialized solutions. Additionally, some platforms simplify the creation and deployment of vertical AI by providing data management and customization tools. At the same time, businesses increasingly recognize AI’s potential to drive efficiency and competitive advantage.
Vertical AI agents are emerging as the next disruption in tech and are anticipated to dominate in 2025. With its market valued at $5.1 billion in 2024, the figures are projected to rise to $47.1 billion by 2030.
Some areas where vertical AI agents are used include finance to enhance risk assessment models and provide insights into market trends and investment opportunities.
Banking institutions are also deploying vertical AI agents to detect fraud in real-time and reduce manual intervention.
In retail verticals, AI agents help personalize product suggestions for customers.
It is important to note that the success of vertical AI precision depends on its ability to solve clear and specific problems. It leverages industry-specific data and domain expertise to deliver solutions that have better precision than general AI systems.
As such, some companies have begun building their own AI tools by using their datasets to create tailored solutions for their specific industry challenges.
Key Benefits of Vertical AI Agents for Niche Markets
Increased operational efficiency – Frees human resources by automating complex and repetitive tasks to increase productivity. Employees have more time to focus on tasks that require creativity, strategy, or problem-solving.
Enhanced accuracy and decision-making – Vertical AI agents are trained on vast amounts of industry-specific data. As a result, they deliver more accurate and consistent results. This reduces human error, which may have dire consequences in critical high-stakes fields such as healthcare and finance.
Cost saving – automating tasks traditionally performed by large teams helps reduce costs. It lowers payroll expenses and minimizes operational costs. This enables companies to reallocate resources to innovation and growth rather than to routine tasks.
Unlock new markets – traditional software solutions may struggle to penetrate niche markets. This is because of their complexity or unstructured data requirements. However, vertical AI agents handle these challenges effectively, opening up new revenue opportunities in previously underserved segments.
Improved customer experience – vertical AI agents enhance customer interaction since they can provide personalized service and faster response time.
Competitive advantage – businesses leveraging vertical AI agents have a significant competitive edge over competitors relying on generalized solutions.
Driving innovation – vertical AI agents streamline operations and offer data-driven recommendations. This enables businesses to experiment and develop cutting-edge products and services. Ultimately, a business can maintain a competitive edge in niche markets.
Challenges and Considerations
Vertical AI agents have compelling benefits but also come with some challenges. A business must navigate the potential challenges during implementation. This includes integration with existing systems, data privacy concerns, employee resistance, and the need for ongoing human oversight. The good news is that with careful planning and a strategic approach, it is easy to overcome these challenges and fully realize the benefits of vertical AI.
Closing Thoughts
Automation has become a critical tool for businesses that want to remain competitive. As the demand for smarter and more efficient operations rises, vertical AI agents are emerging as a solution. These advanced AI solutions deliver targeted results by focusing on niche applications. As AI continues to advance, vertical AI agents will become more efficient and accessible, integrating with broader systems.
Disclaimer
These articles provide general information on tax, accounting, and financial topics for small businesses and individuals. They are educational in nature and are not specific legal, accounting, financial, tax, or other professional advice, and should not be relied upon as such. This content was prepared by Service2Client and may have been reviewed or edited by the website owner for accuracy and compliance. Look for a trust mark below for verification details. No representation is made that any approach described will achieve a particular result, and no regulatory or professional body has reviewed or endorsed this content. Because each situation is different, readers should consult a qualified professional about their specific circumstances before acting. Images accompanying these articles are protected by copyright and may not be copied or reused.
Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2025 (S 257) – Introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) on Jan. 2, this bill is designed to promote resilient critical supply chains by identifying, preparing for, and responding to supply chain shocks to critical industries. The ultimate goal of the legislation is to encourage the growth and competitiveness of production and manufacturing in the United States using emerging technologies. The bipartisan legislation is currently under consideration in the Senate.
