Overview
Vibe coding, the practice of generating code using the aid of AI prompting, raises unsettled copyright questions. In a recent Bloomberg Law article, Steptoe partner Christopher A. Suarez and associates Bill Toth and Anthony Pericolo discuss the nuance behind the claim that AI-generated code is categorically uncopyrightable. Questions of authorship, originality, and human control become especially complex in a vibe‑coding workflow, where the differences between prompting, editing, and accepting machine output matter. Their article also highlights a less discussed risk: without proper guardrails, vibe coding can increase exposure to infringement and downstream compliance problems. For companies embracing these tools, thoughtful governance is critical to protecting innovation while managing IP risk.
You can read their full article here.
