Danish Court Rules AI Chatbot Answers Inadmissible in Jewelry Imitation Case

Denmark's Maritime and Commercial Court has ruled that responses generated by Microsoft's AI chatbot, Copilot, are inadmissible as evidence in a case involving the alleged imitation of jewelry designs. The decision, made via a court order, addresses the use of artificial intelligence in legal proceedings.

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Copilot is neither an expert nor a qualified authority, and the material from Copilot is not evidentially documented.

The lawsuit was filed by the jewelry company Sophie Bille Brahe against Le Soonar, accusing the latter of creating designs nearly identical to its own. Sophie Bille Brahe seeks to prevent Le Soonar from producing, marketing, and selling the disputed jewelry.

A court-appointed expert had initially assessed the jewelry from both companies. Following this, Le Soonar questioned Copilot about the history of "tube-set" jewelry settings, a type relevant to the case. The expert had also commented on this specific type of jewelry from both firms.

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There is nothing stated about the use of artificial intelligence in civil cases in the Administration of Justice Act.

Le Soonar then requested the expert address further questions based on Copilot's answers. However, Sophie Bille Brahe objected, arguing that Copilot is neither an expert nor a qualified authority, and its output lacks documented evidence. The court sided with this objection.

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Copilot has not indicated which sources it has used for the answers, nor does it indicate what errors and uncertainties may exist in answers from Copilot.

In its ruling, the court noted that Danish procedural law does not explicitly address the use of AI in civil cases. Crucially, the court highlighted that Copilot failed to provide its sources or indicate any potential inaccuracies or uncertainties in its responses. Consequently, the court deemed Copilot's answers irrelevant and ruled they should not be presented to the expert witness. A final judgment in the dispute between the two jewelry companies is expected at a later date.

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The answers from Copilot are irrelevant to the case and therefore shall not be presented to the expert witness.