AI isn’t just a shiny new tool—it’s the next major shift in how business gets done.
And just like websites, digital payments, and cloud platforms once did, AI will soon separate the businesses that thrive from those that struggle.
So what’s different this time? The risks aren’t five years out. They’re here on Day One.
Here’s what every business owner needs to know now:
Not All AI Training Is “Fair Use”
In Thomson Reuters v. Ross, the court ruled that using proprietary legal content to train AI was a copyright violation.
Action: If your AI tool was trained on subscription-based or nonpublic data, you could be at risk.
Scraping Public Content? Still Risky
Meta won a case allowing use of public social media content for AI training.
Action: You can’t opt out. Know that your content may be training someone else’s tool—and vice versa.
Only Humans Can Hold Copyright
In Thaler v. Perlmutter, the court confirmed that AI cannot be listed as an author.
Action: Always keep a human in the loop if you want to protect your IP.
AI Advice Can Trigger Liability
A wrongful death suit against Character.AI shows that bad AI advice isn’t just a glitch—it might create legal exposure.
Action: Review your disclaimers and policies, especially for AI chatbots, templates, or tools that face customers.
Bottom Line: AI is the next wave—but it’s also a legal minefield. The smartest business owners are preparing now.
Want to get hands-on guidance from an expert? Join Jason Johnson at SBOC 2025 for: AI-Powered Entrepreneurship: Unlocking the Potential of Generative AI for Your Business
WHEN: September 16–19, Brookfield, WI
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