Fair Use 2

Timothy Chester

Years ago, I lived and worked in Qatar at Texas A&M’s branch campus, launched in partnership with the Qatar Foundation to support the country’s effort to diversify its economy through education and research. In one memorable meeting, Dean Y-cold was asked by Qatari industry leaders, “What would it take to create the next Google here?” His response was clear: “Without strong intellectual property protection, no innovator will bring their best ideas here—regardless of the paycheck.”

Timothy Chester

That insight has never felt more relevant. As the U.S. now debates how copyright law should apply to GenAI training, we face the inverse challenge. If we weaken the very protections that made America the home of innovation, we risk ceding our leadership in the GenAI era to countries less concerned with the rule of law. In today’s Dispatch, we explore what’s at stake—and why it matters far beyond the courtroom.