The quirky world of AI-generated characters may soon reshape copyright laws through a significant legal case, highlighting the issue of ai-generated character copyright in the process.
For those with children under 12, the phrase “Tung tung tung sahur” might be a household chant thanks to its popularity in the vibrant world of online mashups. This peculiar catchphrase, along with a host of other characters, originates from “Italian brain rot,” an internet phenomenon that took root in early 2025. These AI-generated creations combine unlikely elements into eccentric figures with Italianesque names. Examples include a dancing coffee-cup-headed character, Tralalero Tralala, a Nike-wearing shark, and Bombardiro Crocodilo, a crocodile-plane hybrid.
As technology continues to redefine creative landscapes, explore how Cadillac integrates new tech trends into vehicles for both functionality and innovation.
This absurdity has spiraled into a lucrative industry, spawning trading cards, a Panini sticker album, toys, Fortnite skins, and even a Roblox game called Steal a Brainrot. However, the success of these creations now intersects with a critical copyright challenge related to these digital personalities, as the case of Tung Tung Tung Sahur — an anthropomorphic rendition of a wooden drum called the kentongan — enters the legal arena.
Ai-Generated Characters: The Legal Quandary
The character, conceived by Indonesian teenager Noxa through OpenAI’s image generator, gained international fame, leading to representation by Mementum, a French agency specializing in such figures. In September 2025, Mementum demanded a cessation from Do Big Studios, creators of Steal a Brainrot, over the character’s inclusion. Do Big Studios removed it, attempted negotiations, and eventually filed a lawsuit against Mementum in a Californian federal court.
The heart of the case lies in U.S. copyright law, which traditionally protects only human-made creations. A 2025 U.S. Copyright Office report affirmed that purely AI-generated work isn’t eligible for copyright. However, it acknowledges ambiguity if substantial human creativity is involved, necessitating individual assessments involving AI creations.
Implications for Creatives and AI Legal Issues
The character of Tung Tung Tung Sahur, created with seven prompts over 15 minutes, raises questions about what constitutes “human input” in the context of AI-related copyright. If deemed insufficient for copyright, creatives using AI tools might find their work unprotected, allowing rivals to replicate it with impunity, challenging its value. Conversely, recognizing AI-generated content as protectable could prompt clients to favor AI over traditional freelancers or agencies, altering the creative landscape drastically.
The evolving relationship between technology and creativity is also evident in OXS’s pioneering audio design, which reshapes how we experience gaming soundscapes.
No matter the outcome, this decision will deeply impact creative professionals, demonstrating profound ramifications from a teenager’s brief interaction with an AI bot. This case encapsulates the broader legal issues surrounding AI’s role in creativity and copyright protection.
Sources & Links
Source: creativebloq.com
Frequently asked questions
What is ‘Tung tung tung sahur’ known for?
For those with children under 12, ‘Tung tung tung sahur’ might be a household chant thanks to its popularity in the vibrant world of online mashups. It is an AI-generated character, an anthropomorphic rendition of a wooden drum called the kentongan, created by an Indonesian teenager using OpenAI’s image generator.
What is the legal challenge involving ‘Tung tung tung sahur’?
The legal challenge involves Mementum, a French agency, demanding a cessation from Do Big Studios over the character’s inclusion in the Roblox game called Steal a Brainrot. Do Big Studios removed it, attempted negotiations, and eventually filed a lawsuit against Mementum in a Californian federal court.
Why is the copyright of AI-generated characters controversial?
The copyright of AI-generated characters is controversial because U.S. copyright law traditionally protects only human-made creations. A 2025 U.S. Copyright Office report stated that purely AI-generated work is not eligible for copyright but acknowledged ambiguity if substantial human creativity is involved, necessitating individual assessments of AI creations.
More in
Technology
All Technology
