Vibe Coding Is Here — But Are Your IP Rights Protected?

Vibe coding is an emerging approach to software development. Instead of writing code line-by-line, developers and non-developers alike can describe what they want, from functionality to design aesthetics, and receive working outputs in return. It’s early-stage, occasionally unpredictable, but rapidly evolving into a powerful creative and technical tool.

Vibe coding involves using natural language prompts rather than writing traditional code. You provide the AI with a “vibe,” meaning a functional goal or aesthetic direction, and it generates working code or prototypes. For example:

• “Create a chatbot that answers FAQs about our product using our documentation.”
• “Create a landing page that feels clean, minimalist, and inspired by Scandinavian design.”

This method is fast, intuitive, and invaluable for founders, creatives, and small teams aiming to rapidly develop and iterate ideas. Currently, vibe coding is still in its infancy and so the results can be patchy, inconsistent, or require developer oversight to refine fully. However, as AI tools continue improving, the potential is immense.

So where does IP come in?

Like most technological and creative innovations, the legal landscape around vibe coding is still evolving. Under current UK law, there is provision for “computer-generated works” where no human author can be clearly identified. In such cases, the author is deemed to be the person who makes the necessary arrangements for the creation of the work — typically the developer or user providing the prompt.

However, this provision remains largely untested in UK courts and offers only limited and uncertain protection, with little consistent recognition internationally. For copyright protection to apply, the work must be the result of the author’s own intellectual creation, involving free and creative choices and not merely output dictated by technical constraints. This requirement is shaped by both UK case law and the influence of the EU Software Directive. If your business relies on AI-generated content, including code, it’s wise to proceed with caution before treating it as fully protected intellectual property.

Final thoughts

Vibe coding isn’t perfect, but it’s an exciting evolution in software creation. As these tools mature, they’re likely to become vital assets for creative teams and startups, especially those needing rapid iteration.

In the meantime, being legally savvy about AI usage is essential. If you’re building products using vibe coding, it’s prudent to seek IP advice early on to protect your creations and mitigate future risks.