ONDA proposes new legislation to protect copyright in the face of Artificial Intelligence advancement
The Director General of the National Copyright Office (ONDA), José Rubén Gonell Cosme, has proposed the creation of a new legal framework in the Dominican Republic. The main objective is to address the unprecedented challenges posed by artificial intelligence, the internet, and new technologies in the protection of intellectual property and the identity of creators.
On the occasion of the 26th anniversary of Law 65-00 on Copyright, the official acknowledged the importance of this regulation as a fundamental pillar for the respect of artistic creations in the country. However, he suggested that, instead of modifying the current law, the most prudent approach is to develop complementary legislation that focuses exclusively on the challenges of the digital age and modernity.
The law, I would not touch it. I would create a new law to address the aspect of modernity, artificial intelligence, and the challenges brought by the internet and current technology.
José Rubén Gonell Cosme, director of ONDA
The challenge of Artificial Intelligence
Gonell emphasized that artificial intelligence represents the greatest current challenge to legal certainty. According to the director of ONDA, the ability of these tools to manipulate voices, alter images, and generate false content that attributes non-existent statements or actions to people, puts the integrity of citizens at risk.
The official highlighted that the Dominican Republic is working closely with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), based in Switzerland, joining global efforts to establish clear rules that protect people from potential victims of this misuse of technology.
Current protection mechanisms
Despite the need to update regulations, Gonell recalled that the Dominican system already has tools for those affected to defend themselves. Among them are:
- Provisions in the new Penal Code aimed at the protection of personal image.
- Law 65-00, which allows for legal actions through criminal, administrative, and civil channels in cases of intellectual property violations.
- Established jurisprudence that allows citizens to file complaints when their identity is used fraudulently through technology.
Finally, the director of ONDA stressed that current legislation has been key to raising national standards to the international level over the last two decades. However, given the speed at which technology evolves, the country must prepare itself with modern legal tools that ensure that, in the digital environment, copyright continues to be respected and effectively protected.
