• Areas of expertise
  • |
  • About me
  • |
  • Principles as a lawyer
  • |
  • Tel: 03322 5078053
  • info@itmedialaw.com
ITMediaLaw - Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Ideal partner
      • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Video series – about me
      • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
      • Principles as a lawyer
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Nerd und Rechtsanwalt
      • Ideal partner
      • How can I help clients?
    • Über die Kanzlei
      • How clients benefit from my network of colleagues, partners and service providers
      • Quick and flexible access
      • Agile and lean law firm
      • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
      • Price overview
    • How can I help clients?
    • Sonstige Informationen
      • Einwilligungen widerrufen
      • Privatsphäre-Einstellungen ändern
      • Historie der Privatsphäre-Einstellungen
      • Privacy policy
    • Testimonials
    • Imprint
  • Leistungen
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Support with the foundation
      • Games law consulting
      • Advice in e-commerce
      • Support and advice of agencies
      • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
      • Legal compliance and expert opinions
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Arbeitsschwerpunkte
      • Games and esports law
        • Esports. What is it?
      • Corporate law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Consulting for influencers and streamers
        • Influencer & Streamer
      • Contract review and preparation
      • DLT and Blockchain consulting
        • Blockchain Overview
      • Investment advice
      • AI and SaaS
  • Artikel/News
    • Langartikel / Guides
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Law on the Internet
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Online retail
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Competition law
    • Copyright
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Labour law
    • Tax
    • Kanzlei News
    • Other
  • Videos/Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Kurz-Podcast
  • Knowledge base
  • Contact
Kurzberatung
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Ideal partner
      • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Video series – about me
      • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
      • Principles as a lawyer
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Nerd und Rechtsanwalt
      • Ideal partner
      • How can I help clients?
    • Über die Kanzlei
      • How clients benefit from my network of colleagues, partners and service providers
      • Quick and flexible access
      • Agile and lean law firm
      • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
      • Price overview
    • How can I help clients?
    • Sonstige Informationen
      • Einwilligungen widerrufen
      • Privatsphäre-Einstellungen ändern
      • Historie der Privatsphäre-Einstellungen
      • Privacy policy
    • Testimonials
    • Imprint
  • Leistungen
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Support with the foundation
      • Games law consulting
      • Advice in e-commerce
      • Support and advice of agencies
      • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
      • Legal compliance and expert opinions
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Arbeitsschwerpunkte
      • Games and esports law
        • Esports. What is it?
      • Corporate law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Consulting for influencers and streamers
        • Influencer & Streamer
      • Contract review and preparation
      • DLT and Blockchain consulting
        • Blockchain Overview
      • Investment advice
      • AI and SaaS
  • Artikel/News
    • Langartikel / Guides
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Law on the Internet
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Online retail
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Competition law
    • Copyright
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Labour law
    • Tax
    • Kanzlei News
    • Other
  • Videos/Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Kurz-Podcast
  • Knowledge base
  • Contact
ITMediaLaw - Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel
Home Other

Blockchain and AI in law – new territory or proven terrain?

9. November 2023
in Other
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0 0
A A
0
blockchain und ki im recht neuland oder bewaehrtes terrain
Key Facts
  • Blockchain and AI pose legal challenges that can be solved with existing laws.
  • Contractual certainty, transparency and comprehensibility are the cornerstones of the BGB-AT.
  • Copyright and liability already provide a framework for technological developments such as AI.
  • The tasks of lawyers require a deep understanding of legal principles.
  • Existing laws can be adapted to technological developments if they are interpreted well.
  • Legal precision work is required to apply old laws to modern circumstances.
  • An interdisciplinary approach combines legal, technical and ethical aspects for sustainable solutions.

Introduction: Discourses at the interface of technology and law

Content Hide
1. Introduction: Discourses at the interface of technology and law
2. Blockchain: traditional law meets modern technology
3. Artificial intelligence: existing law in a new light
4. Legal precision work: the application of existing laws
5. Conclusion: Proven laws as a foundation for technological innovations

Last week, there was an exciting discussion with a doctoral student at the University of Hanover on the topic of blockchain law. The question was: Are the legal challenges associated with blockchain and AI really so new that they cannot be dealt with using existing laws? This question came up again yesterday when I came across similar problems in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) during my “Ask me anything” session at the People and Cultures Festival.

Blockchain: traditional law meets modern technology

The fascination with technologies such as blockchain is great – and with it the uncertainty as to whether our current legal system can cope with these innovations. We often get the impression that we are moving in completely unfamiliar territory. But is that really the case?

Let’s look at blockchain: this is about issues such as contract security, transparency and the traceability of transactions. These aspects are by no means new to lawyers. Rather, they are the cornerstones on which contract law has always been based. The challenges posed by blockchain technology, such as in the area of MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation, are specific but not insurmountable. They require careful legal work, but no fundamentally new laws.

If one broadens the perspective, it becomes apparent that many of the questions that arise can be answered with the general principles of the BGB-AT (General Part of the German Civil Code). Copyright law, personality rights, trademark law and competition law also already provide a comprehensive set of rules that can be applied to the new circumstances, provided they are interpreted and applied correctly. Future rulings are likely to focus primarily on the specific application and interpretation of these existing laws, without the need to create fundamentally new legal issues.

In practice, this means that lawyers have to deal with issues that are related to new technologies but can be resolved using traditional legal methods. The aim is to define the roles of messenger, proxy or the submission of declarations of intent in the context of smart contracts and to clarify when and under what circumstances there is fulfillment. These and similar questions require an in-depth study of legal principles that may not be regularly applied in the day-to-day business of many lawyers, but nevertheless form the basis for the proper application of the law.

Artificial intelligence: existing law in a new light

In the field of artificial intelligence (AI), questions arise time and again that appear new and complex at first glance. One of these questions concerns exploitation rights: Can works created by AI establish exploitation rights? And to what extent can AI providers be held responsible for infringing the rights of third parties?

It is a widespread assumption that the rapid development of AI technology requires legislative amendments to clarify such issues. However, a closer look reveals that the German legal system – especially the “old” laws – is remarkably flexible and adaptable to new technological developments.

Let’s take the right of exploitation: it is enshrined in the Copyright Act and protects the economic interests of the authors of works. The question of whether AI-generated content can give rise to such rights depends on whether it can be regarded as a “work” within the meaning of copyright law. What matters here is the creative achievement, which, according to the current legal situation, requires human activity. Accordingly, AI as a tool cannot – as things stand today – establish its own exploitation rights. However, the human creator who uses the AI could certainly assert exploitation rights to the results, provided that his own creative achievement is recognizable.

The question of the liability of AI providers for legal infringements is more complicated, but here too, existing laws provide a framework. German law recognizes various liability concepts, ranging from direct liability to indirect liability and fault-based liability. These concepts can be applied to situations in which AI systems infringe the rights of third parties. It is therefore not a question of creating new liability rules, but of applying the existing rules to the respective circumstances and developing them further if necessary.

The challenge is not to create new laws, but to work with what already exists in a scientifically sound manner. German laws are often very good at adapting to new technical developments – provided we are prepared to make this adaptation. This requires an in-depth examination of the subject matter and precise legal argumentation.

It is therefore not the legislation that is lagging behind, but rather the interpretation and application of the laws, which must be carried out with care and expertise. In this sense, the “old” laws can and should serve as a solid basis for ensuring legal certainty and justice in the era of AI.

Legal precision work: the application of existing laws

Of course, there is room for interpretation and uncertainty when applying these laws to new technologies. But this is precisely where the art of jurisprudence lies: the clean subsumption and interpretation of existing laws in order to apply them to new situations. This requires precise legal work, which – as experience shows – is a challenge even for many lawyers, not to mention legal laymen.

In this context, it is crucial that lawyers understand not only the letter of the law, but also its spirit and the principles behind it. This makes it possible to effectively apply laws that were drafted in a time before the digital revolution to modern technologies such as blockchain and AI. The aim is to grasp the underlying legal principles and apply them to today’s technologically advanced circumstances. This requires not only legal expertise, but also a deep understanding of the technologies themselves and their impact on society and the economy. An interdisciplinary approach that combines legal, technical and ethical aspects is essential in order to arrive at balanced and sustainable solutions.

Conclusion: Proven laws as a foundation for technological innovations

The solution is not to reflexively call for new laws, but to apply the existing laws intelligently and carefully to new technologies. It is a question of legal craftsmanship that has been confirmed time and again in 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur and lawyer.

In summary, it can be said that the legal issues raised by blockchain and AI can certainly be dealt with using the existing legal framework. There is no need for large-scale new legislation, but rather a well-founded legal examination of the technologies and precise application

Tags: Artificial intelligenceBlockchainCompetition lawContract lawContractsCustomizationDevelopmentDisturbing liabilityExploitation lawHaftungJudgmentsKILawsLawyerLegal certaintyLegal issuesLegal systemLegislationPersonality lawRegulationrightTechnologyTrademarksTransparencyUrheberrecht

Beliebte Beträge

The legal protection of a business plan

5b698c02ae6e02ed43d05d01c467b658
24. September 2024

A business plan is an indispensable strategic document for start-ups and company founders. It serves as a roadmap for business...

Read moreDetails

As a teenager, make e-sports men/streamers self-employed?

As a teenager, make e-sports men/streamers self-employed?
2. January 2020

The industry of streamers and e-sports enthusiasts is very young compared to other industries and therefore also for lawyers and...

Read moreDetails

European Accessibility Act and BFSG: Accessibility will be mandatory for websites, online stores & software from 2025

european economic interest grouping eeig
25. April 2025

Accessibility in the digital world is no longer just a voluntary option, but is becoming a legal obligation. The European...

Read moreDetails

Coalition agreement 2025: changes to commercial law for companies, the self-employed and investors

Coalition agreement 2025: changes to commercial law for companies, the self-employed and investors
9. April 2025

The 2025 coalition agreement of the (presumably) new federal government under the leadership of the CDU/CSU and SPD contains extensive...

Read moreDetails

Modern contract design 2025 in the influencer and agency business

Modern contract design 2025 in the influencer and agency business
7. April 2025

Influencer marketing and agency collaborations have gained enormously in importance in recent years. With new technologies, global networking and changing...

Read moreDetails

Influencers abroad: no free pass from German laws

Influencers abroad: no free pass from German laws
14. April 2025

Many influencers dream of escaping the German winter and their local obligations - be it to Dubai, Madeira or the...

Read moreDetails

Influencer agency contracts and Section 627 BGB: Effectively exclude termination in a relationship of trust

Influencer agency contracts and Section 627 BGB: Effectively exclude termination in a relationship of trust
12. April 2025

Contracts between influencers and their agencies or between managers and artists are often based on a close relationship of trust....

Read moreDetails

Liability when using VibeCoding and no-code platforms – implications for legal due diligence

Liability when using VibeCoding and no-code platforms – implications for legal due diligence
31. March 2025

VibeCoding describes a current trend in which software is no longer programmed manually, but is developed almost exclusively using AI...

Read moreDetails

The romanticization of the “fail fast” principle in startups – When does failure become deception towards stakeholders?

The romanticization of the “fail fast” principle in startups – When does failure become deception towards stakeholders?
3. April 2025

"Fail fast, fail often" - hardly any other motto characterizes the start-up culture as much as the idea of trying...

Read moreDetails

5.0 60 reviews

  • Avatar Lennart Korte ★★★★★ vor 2 Monaten
    Ich kann Herrn Härtel als Anwalt absolut weiterempfehlen! Sein Service ist erstklassig – schnelle Antwortzeiten, effiziente … Mehr Arbeit und dabei sehr kostengünstig, was für Startups besonders wichtig ist. Er hat für mein Startup einen Vertrag erstellt, und ich bin von seiner professionellen und zuverlässigen Arbeit überzeugt. Klare Empfehlung!
  • Avatar R.H. ★★★★★ vor 3 Monaten
    Ich kann Hr. Härtel nur empfehlen! Er hat mich bei einem Betrugsversuch einer Krypto Börse rechtlich vertreten. Ich bin sehr … Mehr zufrieden mit seiner engagierten Arbeit gewesen. Ich wurde von Anfang an kompetent, fair und absolut transparent beraten. Trotz eines zähen Verfahrens und einer großen Börse als Gegner, habe ich mich immer sicher und zuversichtlich gefühlt. Auch die Schnelligkeit und die sehr gute Erreichbarkeit möchte ich an der Stelle hoch loben und nochmal meinen herzlichsten Dank aussprechen! Daumen hoch mit 10 Sternen!
  • Avatar P! Galerie ★★★★★ vor 4 Monaten
    Herr Härtel hat uns äusserst kompetent in einen lästigen Fall mit META betreut. Er war effizient, beharrlich, aber auch mit … Mehr uns geduldig. Menschlich top, bis wir am Ende Dank ihm erfolgreich zum Ziel gekommen sind. Können wir wärmstens empfehlen. Und nochmals danke. P.H.
  • Avatar Philip Lucas ★★★★★ vor 8 Monaten
    Wir haben Herrn Härtel für unser Unternehmen konsultiert und sind äußerst zufrieden mit seiner Arbeit. Von Anfang an hat … Mehr er einen überaus kompetenten Eindruck gemacht und sich als ein sehr angenehmer Gesprächspartner erwiesen. Seine fachliche Expertise und seine verständliche und zugängliche Art im Umgang mit komplexen Themen haben uns überzeugt. Wir freuen uns auf eine langfristige und erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit!
  • Avatar Mosaic Mask Studio ★★★★★ vor 5 Monaten
    Die Kanzlei ist immer ein verlässlicher Partner bei der Sichtung und Bearbeitung von Verträgen in der IT Branche. Es ist … Mehr stets ein professioneller Austausch auf Augenhöhe.
    Die Ergebnisse sind auf hohem Niveau und haben die interessen unsers Unternehmens immer bestmöglich wiedergespiegelt.
    Vielen Dank für die sehr gute Zusammenarbeit.
  • Avatar Mikael Hällgren ★★★★★ vor einem Monat
    I got fantastic support from Marian Härtel. He managed to get my wrongfully suspended Instagram account restored. He was … Mehr incredibly helpful the whole way until the positive outcome. Highly recommended!
  • Avatar Doris H. ★★★★★ vor 10 Monaten
    Herr Härtel hat uns bezüglich eines Telefonvertrags beraten und vertreten. Wir waren mit seinem Service sehr zufrieden. Er … Mehr hat stets schnell auf unsere E-mails und Anrufe reagiert und den Sachverhalt einfach und verständlich erklärt. Wir würden Herrn Härtel jederzeit wieder beauftragen.Vielen Dank für die hervorragende Unterstützung
  • Avatar Philipp Skaar ★★★★★ vor 8 Monaten
    Als kleines inhabergeführtes Hotel sehen wir uns ab und dann (bei sonst weit über dem Durchschnitt liegenden Bewertungen) … Mehr der Herausforderung von aus der Anonymität heraus agierenden "Netz-Querulanten" gegenüber gestellt. Herr Härtel versteht es außerordentlich spür- und feinsinnig, derartige - oftmals auf Rufschädigung ausgerichtete - Bewertungen bereits im Keim, also außergerichtlich, zu ersticken und somit unseren Betrieb vor weiteren Folgeschäden zu bewahren. Seine Umsetzungsgeschwindigkeit ist beeindruckend, seine bisherige Erfolgsquote = 100%.Ergo: Unsere erste Adresse zur Abwehr von geschäftsschädigenden Angriffen aus dem Web.
  • ●
  • ●
  • ●
  • ●

Video-Galerie

From the idea to a successful blockchain start-up: a guide
From the idea to a successful blockchain start-up: a guide
What I can do really well
What I can do really well
Copyright and computer games: Which rules really apply?
Copyright and computer games: Which rules really apply?
Privacy policy

Privacy policy

1. July 2023

Introduction In today's digital world, the protection of personal data is crucial. A privacy policy is a document that contains...

Read moreDetails
Reverse break-up fee

Reverse break-up fee

16. October 2024
Step action

Dunning notice / Enforcement notice

25. June 2023
rechtsanwaltsverguetungsgesetz rvg

Usual remuneration

10. November 2024
projekt gesellschaft projekt gmbh

Project Company / Project GmbH

26. June 2023

Podcast Folgen

AI in law: opportunities, risks and regulation – the IT Media Law Podcast Episode 3

AI in law: opportunities, risks and regulation – the IT Media Law Podcast Episode 3

24. September 2024

Welcome to the third episode of our podcast "IT Media Law"! In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world...

052c2ca5ca0421f0316b42073ce61791

Innovative business models – risk and opportunity at the same time

10. September 2024

In this exciting episode of our podcast, we take a deep dive into the world of innovative business models. Our...

238a909c26a0302cbd4792cbd18e4922

Global challenges for start-ups – A legal guide

10. October 2024

This informative podcast offers a comprehensive insight into the legal challenges faced by start-ups when expanding internationally. The experienced lawyer...

247f58c28882e230e982fa3a32d34dea

Digital sovereignty: Europe’s path to a self-determined digital future

8. December 2024

In this exciting episode of the itmedialaw.com podcast, we take a deep dive into the highly topical subject of digital...

  • Home
  • Imprint
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms
  • Agile and lean law firm
  • Ideal partner
  • Contact
  • Videos
Marian Härtel, Rathenaustr. 58a, 14612 Falkensee, info@itmedialaw.com

Marian Härtel - Rechtsanwalt für IT-Recht, Medienrecht und Startups, mit einem Fokus auf innovative Geschäftsmodelle, Games, KI und Finanzierungsberatung.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Contact
  • Leistungen
    • Support with the foundation
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Games law consulting
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
    • Investment advice
    • Booking as speaker
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Contract review and preparation
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Focus on start-ups
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus on start-ups
    • How can I help clients?
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Testimonials
    • Imprint
  • Videos
    • Video series – about me
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos on services
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Shorts
    • Third-party videos
    • Podcast format
    • Other videos
  • Knowledge base
  • Podcast
  • Blogposts
    • Lange Artikel / Ausführungen
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Labour law
    • EU law
    • Corporate
    • Competition law
    • Copyright
    • Tax
    • Internally
    • Other
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
Kostenlose Kurzberatung