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Google's NotebookLM now lets you create video summaries using any text prompt you want, instead of forcing you to choose from a list of preset styles.

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That means you can generate videos in the style of pretty much anything—copyrighted or not. For example, I asked it to make a video in the style of "The Simpsons," exploring whether Bart Simpson would care about AI copyright issues. With just a single, simple prompt, the system delivered exactly what I asked for.

Copyright: Walt Disney or NotebookLM, or me (not likely)

What really stands out: NotebookLM slaps its own copyright notice in the corner of the video, even when the entire scene is nothing but "The Simpsons" content.

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NotebookLM-generated "Simpsons" knockoffs—complete with copyright confusion. | Image: Copyright: Walt Disney or NotebookLM, or me (not likely)
NotebookLM's logo appears in the generated scene, even when the content is clearly modeled after "The Simpsons." | Image: Copyright: Walt Disney or NotebookLM, or me (not likely)

If Google sticks to the usual generative AI script, expect a few half-hearted guardrails, maybe a licensing deal or two if things get awkward, or just a wait-and-see approach until the lawsuits drop. And if anyone is likely to show up with a team of lawyers, it's Disney, especially when it comes to protecting its crown jewels from AI companies.

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Matthias is the co-founder and publisher of THE DECODER, exploring how AI is fundamentally changing the relationship between humans and computers.
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