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LAION doesn’t publish the images, only the metadata, which includes the original image URLs. Anyone who wants to make use of the image set has to re-download the images from the original sources [0], and is then liable for actually using the images. Arguably, the alt text contained in the metadata is still subject to copyright though.

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Arguably, a short alt text does not meet the threshold of originality under most jurisdictions. See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threshold_of_originality

This is the most commonly misunderstood characteristic of LAION, and I find that alarming because it feels like it just plain means a lot of people don't understand how the internet actually works.

Which is not surprising but guys, it's everywhere it's also not optional to understand this.

Yet, what LAION is doing appears to be somewhat obvious. We are a non-profit and not publishing the images seems like hiding behind technicalities.

What do you think they're doing?

We understand it just fine. Us internet people do free labor, then others take it and monetize it.

Seems like you both don't understand LAION and don't understand hyperlinking.

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