AI Frontier Institute

Resolve, Directing the Maine Arts Commission to Study Federal and National Efforts to Protect Artists from Copyright Infringement by Artificial Intelligence Companies and Users and to Monitor Educational Use

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This Maine resolve (L.D. 109, Resolves Chapter 121) became law without the Governor's signature on January 11, 2026. Under Sec. 1, the Maine Arts Commission must study federal and national efforts to protect artists from copyright infringement by businesses and others who promote, create, disseminate or use artificial intelligence software. It must also study efforts to monitor the educational use of copyrighted work. The commission must consult with the Office of the Attorney General. It may draw on the Maine State Cultural Affairs Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, ASCAP and similar organizations. It may also consider the proposed federal No Fakes Act of 2024, the proposed federal No AI FRAUD Act, Tennessee's Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security Act of 2024, and case law such as Waits v. Frito-Lay, Inc. and Midler v. Ford Motor Co. The commission must report its findings, including any suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by December 3, 2025. That committee may report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature. Sec. 2 lets the commission accept grants, private contributions and other outside funding for the study. Sec. 3 appropriates $25,000 from the General Fund in 2025-26 and $0 in 2026-27 to the Arts Commission (Arts - Administration 0178). This is one-time money for a consultant to research and analyze the impact of unauthorized AI usage on an artist's work.

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