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US Clears the AI Copyright Tension, Why Designers Are Ditching the Industry and more

AI can't hold a copyright. But you still can.

Author

Charbel Zeaiter
January 31, 2025

Happy Friday!

If you’re following larger design and marketing sites, you’ll see more and more people posting about why they’re leaving creative industries altogether. I get it, there’s a lot to be concerned about, particularly as design is becoming more democratised; good taste isn’t enough. Just in time as the US is exploring what Copyright means in the age of AI.

So much in today’s newsletter.

Have a wonderful weekend 🙏🏽

Yours in Wonder,
Charbel
Founder of Velvet Onion, Faster Zebra and more to come …

Today’s Highlights

  • AI: U.S. Copyright Office Lays Down the Copyright Law on AI Creations

  • Design: Why Designers Are Ditching the Industry

  • Science & Tech: China’s Secret Nuclear Fusion Laser

  • Founding: Entrepreneurs: Some Accept Destiny while Some Create It

  • Product: B2C Retention Too Good? Maybe You're Playing it too Safe

  • Today’s AI image: Robots Perform

  • Quote for the day: How to Deal With the Faulty Education System

AI

U.S. Copyright Office Lays Down the Copyright Law on AI Creations

The U.S. Copyright Office has drawn a line in the sand: AI-generated content, on its own, won’t qualify for copyright protection.

However, human creators who incorporate AI as a tool can still claim rights over their contributions. This long-awaited clarification balances innovation with artistic ownership.

All You Need To Know

  • Humans Only, Please – Copyright law demands genuine human creativity; AI alone doesn’t cut it.

  • Prompts ≠ Protection – Even the most finely crafted text prompt won’t make AI-generated work copyrightable.

  • Hybrid Creations Get a Pass – If a piece blends human-made and AI-generated elements, only the human-crafted parts are eligible for copyright.

  • No New Laws (Yet) – The Office sees no need for fresh legislation, sticking with current copyright policies.

Why is this a big deal?

This ruling clears up murky waters for artists, writers, and businesses experimenting with AI.

As AI-powered creativity booms, knowing where the legal lines are drawn is crucial.

It protects human ingenuity while letting creators harness AI without losing control over their work. In short: AI can assist, but it won’t be replacing copyright lawyers anytime soon.

Also in AI

Design

Why Designers Are Ditching the Industry

A wave of experienced creatives are leaving the industry altogether.

Burned-out marketers are becoming artists. Designers are turning to fitness. This isn’t just career restlessness; it’s a symptom of something deeper.

When professionals with years of expertise walk away, it raises a pressing question: why?

The Struggle Behind the Shift

  • Drained and Disillusioned – Marketing promises creativity but often feels like a machine built to extract, not create.

  • Chasing Moving Targets – Success is a blur of shifting metrics, algorithms, and ever-changing engagement rules.

  • Lost in the Clickstream – What started as storytelling has become a numbers game, stripping away real connection.

  • Always Behind the Curve – The relentless pace of new tools and trends makes staying relevant exhausting.

  • Burnout or Bust – Many aren’t just tired—they’re struggling to find steady work in an unstable industry.

Why This Matters

This mass departure suggests a hunger for work with tangible, lasting impact—careers where effort results in something meaningful, rather than just another data point on a dashboard.

It also raises a red flag: if even the most dedicated professionals are leaving, maybe the system itself needs rethinking.

Are we optimising creativity out of existence? Is marketing’s obsession with data making it unsustainable for those who care about genuine connection?

Also in Design

Science & Tech

China’s Secret Nuclear Fusion Laser

Satellite images have exposed a massive, undisclosed nuclear fusion laser facility under construction in Mianyang, China.

This site is roughly 50% larger than the US National Ignition Facility, the world's biggest inertial confinement fusion research centre.

The project could have major implications for clean energy and nuclear weapons development.

What the Satellite Images Reveal

  • The facility consists of four extended “arms” for laser bays and a central chamber for fusion experiments.

  • It aims to generate energy by fusing hydrogen isotopes using high-powered lasers, replicating the Sun’s energy production.

  • This research could advance fusion energy, offering a clean alternative to fossil fuels.

  • However, it could also provide valuable insights into nuclear weapons development without violating test bans.

  • The site was previously identified in 2020 as part of China’s expanding nuclear research infrastructure.

Why is this a big deal?

China’s investment in laser fusion is part of a growing global race to harness fusion power, often called the “holy grail” of energy.

While its potential for clean, unlimited energy is exciting, the overlap with military applications raises security concerns.

With no official word on the facility’s intended purpose, the world will be watching closely.

Also in Science & Tech

Founding

Entrepreneurs: Some Accept Destiny while Some Create It

Steve Blank reflects on nearly 50 years in Silicon Valley, where he witnessed and contributed to transformative technologies, from microprocessors to AI.

Surrounded by pioneers and visionaries, he embraced a mindset of challenging the norm and teaching the next wave of entrepreneurs to do the same.

For Blank, founders are akin to artists—boldly crafting visions others cannot see.

A Tale of Two Lives: Choice vs. Predestination

Reconnecting with an old friend from his Air Force days, Blank observed a stark contrast in their life trajectories.

While his friend described life as “predestined,” Blank credits his own path to deliberate choices and a refusal to accept the status quo.

This encounter highlighted a broader truth: many live unexamined lives, accepting what comes their way, while a select few actively shape their destiny.

The Spirit of Change-Makers

Throughout history, a small, determined group has defied circumstances to push boundaries.

These rebels and innovators—driven by dissatisfaction with the ordinary—are the ones who propel humanity forward.

Whether it’s building businesses, challenging political systems, or fighting for social justice, they act on their desire for change.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset

For Blank, entrepreneurship is more than starting companies. It’s about refusing to accept limitations.

It’s about recognising that life is not a dress rehearsal. If you’re dissatisfied with your circumstances, take initiative: relocate, change jobs, or build something new.

Life is a canvas, and the brush is in your hand.

Whether you dream of innovation, justice, or simply a better tomorrow, the choice to act is yours.

Stop waiting for destiny to knock—create your own path. As Steve Blank reminds us, “You are the master of your own fate. Act like it.”

Also in Founding

Product

B2C Retention Too Good? Maybe You're Playing it too Safe

High Retention Might Mean Missed Opportunities

Overly high retention rates, particularly in B2C subscriptions, can indicate you're only targeting your core audience.

While this ensures loyalty, it may mean you're neglecting broader market segments that could drive growth.

Example: Substack observed that writers with 30%+ higher retention often avoided experimenting with adjacent audiences, missing out on untapped revenue streams.

Retention Isn’t the End Goal

The real metric to maximise is revenue over a customer’s lifetime.

Sacrificing some retention for broader audience acquisition can lead to higher overall revenue, even if short-term churn rises.

The Cohort Floor

The cohort floor is the point where churn stabilises after initial fluctuations (often 30–90 days).

A stable, elevated floor indicates long-term customer retention.

Case in Point: Hulu initially saw churn stabilise at 20–25%. Incrementally raising this to 30% significantly boosted long-term revenue.

Each percentage point increase in the cohort floor translates to substantial profitability since acquisition costs are already sunk. This makes improving the floor a high-impact strategy.

Retention ≠ Lifetime Value

Retention alone doesn’t guarantee success.

Pair retention metrics with revenue and lifetime value to optimise growth.

Adjust strategies for onboarding, content, or pricing to address specific churn types.

Today’s AI Image

Robots Perform

Quote of the Day

How to Deal With the Faulty Education System

"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."

Mark Twain

What we’re working on

Velvet Onion & Friends

The new Velvet Onion & Friends will be launched soon. It’s our latest evolution, helping companies build products. It’s more than services.

Faster Zebra

February 2025 - the product and venture school journey begins. Whitepaper launching in January.

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Charbel

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