It is not legal to use AI-generated images that are copyrighted without permission from the copyright owner. While the US Copyright Office has deemed AI-generated images ineligible for copyright protection due to a lack of human authorship, this does not mean that these images are in the public domain and free for use. Copyright law still applies to AI-generated images, and the copyright owner has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and display the work publicly.
If you use an AI-generated image that is copyrighted without permission, you could be liable for copyright infringement. This could result in legal action against you, including damages and the possibility of an injunction to stop you from using the image. It is important to obtain permission or a license from the copyright owner before using any copyrighted material, including AI-generated images.