Copyright Protection in Malaysia amid Legal Challenges of AI-Generated Content

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has introduced significant legal challenges to copyright protection in Malaysia. Currently, there are no specific laws addressing AI-generated content. The Malaysia Copyright Act 1987 provides a framework for protecting the rights of copyright owners while promoting creativity and innovation. However, it does not adequately address the complexities associated with works created by AI. The main issue in this context is the question of authorship and ownership, particularly whether autonomously created AI works can qualify for copyright protection under the Copyright Act 1987. Furthermore, the lack of judicial precedents leaves many questions unresolved regarding the rights of AI developers and those who input prompts into AI systems Additionally, issues related to originality and the potential for copyright infringement during AI training processes add to the complexity. The challenge of determining whether AI-generated works can be classified as original creations under current laws emphasizes the need for reform. Thus, this paper aims to analyse the legal challenges associated with AI-generated content under Malaysian copyright law and propose pathways for reform to ensure the country remains competitive in the global AI landscape while safeguarding the rights of creators and innovators. A qualitative approach was employed, which included a review of existing literature such as journal articles and legal analyses. The findings of this study suggest that as Malaysia continues to adopt AI technologies, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework is essential to address these challenges while protecting intellectual property rights.