The UK’s creative industries have vehemently opposed the government’s proposed AI copyright exemption plan, which could lead to unequal power dynamics and undermine creator livelihoods.
The Creative Industries Reject AI Copyright Exemption Plan
The creative industries, including writers, publishers, musicians, photographers, movie producers, and newspapers, have rejected the Labour government‘s plan to create a copyright exemption to help artificial intelligence companies train their algorithms.
The Proposed System: A Double-Edged Sword for Creatives?
Ministers proposed allowing companies such as Open AI, Google, and Meta to train their AI systems on published works unless their owners actively opt out. This system would supposedly improve access to content by AI developers while allowing rights holders to control how their content is used for AI training.
However, the creative industries argue that this approach does not guarantee creative control or spur a dynamic licensing market. Instead, it shifts the burden of seeking permission and engaging with rights holders onto the shoulders of generative AI developers. This could lead to unequal power dynamics and undermine the livelihoods of creators whose work is used without permission.
High-Profile Support for Creative Control
Paul McCartney and Kate Bush have recently joined a petition backed by over 37,500 people, which calls for curbs on AI companies engaging in copyright theft. The petition states that the “unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted.”
Kate Mosse has also backed a parallel campaign for amendments to the data bill that would allow the enforcement of the UK’s existing copyright law. This would enable creators to negotiate for fair payment when licensing their material.
A House of Lords Debate
In a House of Lords debate on the proposed amendments, Beeban Kidron compared the government’s suggested system to asking shopkeepers to “opt out of shoplifters.” She argued that this approach is based on the mistaken idea that there is a lack of clarity in existing copyright law.
Clement Jones, the Lib Dem spokesperson on the digital economy, stated that the proposed exemption is “based on the mistaken idea, promoted by tech lobbyists and echoed in the consultation, that there is a lack of clarity in existing copyright law.”
A Balance Between Access and Creative Control
The science minister, Patrick Vallance, acknowledged the need for a balance between access to content for AI developers and the rights of creators. He stated that the government wants to “support rights-holders to continue to exercise control over the use of their content and their ability to seek remuneration for this” while also ensuring that access can be appropriately wide.
However, the creative industries argue that a more nuanced approach is needed, one that prioritizes the protection of creators’ rights and promotes fair compensation for their work.
