UK news publishers unite against proposed copyright changes

Every major UK news publisher has called on the government to reconsider proposed reforms to copyright laws that could facilitate the unlicensed extraction of content by artificial intelligence (AI) firms. This plea comes on the final day of a government consultation regarding these proposals, amid warnings that such changes threaten the lucrative creative industries, which generate £126 billion annually for the UK economy.

The so-called Creative Rights in AI Coalition, encompassing a wide range of media outlets and creative industries, has warned that the government’s ambition to position the UK at the forefront of the generative AI sector could undermine this economic sector if tech companies are permitted to utilise extensive catalogues of news articles, books, video footage and photographic materials without proper licensing or compensation.

Proponents of the initiative assert that generative AI companies like OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, require vast amounts of high-quality, human-created data to train their sophisticated software models, enabling them to automate diverse tasks.

The government has argued that its proposed changes to copyright legislation will foster technological innovation while ensuring greater transparency regarding the data being used.

The coalition claims that the proposed measures would deprive creators of control over their work and diminish their ability to earn revenue. They contend that the move endangers jobs and financial sustainability within the creative industries. Under the coalition’s “Make It Fair” initiative, they are advocating for existing copyright laws, which prohibit commercial text and data mining without a licence from the copyright holder, to be upheld unequivocally. They argue that under such a framework, creative industries would be empowered to charge tech companies for access to their content.

In a joint article published across numerous UK news platforms, the coalition expressed its belief in the untapped potential market for licensing British creators’ content. They emphasised the necessity for proper control and fair remuneration in order to fuel economic growth and innovation within both the AI sector and the creative industries.

Owen Meredith, chief executive of the News Media Association, commented on the existing UK copyright laws, which he described as “gold standard” and essential for promoting growth and job creation within the creative sectors. He indicated that these laws have historically supported an array of artists and creators, underscoring that protections must extend to AI applications. Meredith highlighted concerns regarding the potential dilution of these protections, asserting that the government’s strategy appears to undermine the rights and interests of content creators.

The music industry has also lent its voice to the campaign, with notable figures such as Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Kate Bush, and Thom Yorke backing efforts to halt the proposed copyright revisions. Ed Newton-Rex, a prominent figure within this campaign, indicated that a collective of UK musicians had released a joint album featuring recordings from empty studios, symbolising the potential consequences of the government’s approach.

Newton-Rex noted that the proposals could result in the output of the UK’s cultural creators being handed to AI companies without compensation, urging the government to reconsider its course.

The debate comes in the context of a report from Cambridge University’s Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy, which cautioned about the risks posed by unregulated generative AI to the productivity and revenue streams of the UK’s creative industries. The report recommends that the government facilitate licensing agreements between AI companies and creators, ensuring that copyright holders receive fair compensation for their works.

As this issue unfolds, international media companies, including The New York Times and Getty Images, have initiated legal actions against generative AI developers for alleged copyright infringements. Meanwhile, other publishers have begun to negotiate agreements with tech companies, permitting access to their content in exchange for fees or equity partnerships.

Source: Noah Wire Services