Labour MPs Demand Action on AI Copyright Laws
Labour MPs are intensifying their calls on Sir Keir Starmer to reconsider the party’s plans to welcome artificial intelligence (AI) companies by altering the UK’s copyright regulations. A powerful letter from two influential select committees has emerged, supporting the ‘Make It Fair’ campaign. The MPs are urging the Government to protect Britain’s creative industries from being exploited by AI firms, which could freely use content ranging from music to journalism for training their software models.
Lawmakers have urged ministers to halt their intentions to grant AI giants unrestricted access to British-produced creative content. One prominent political figure even likened the Government’s proposals to an act of state-sanctioned theft. The Culture Select Committee and the Science Select Committee, led by Labour MP Chi Onwurah, emphasized that the Government’s approach to AI should uphold the principle that “everyone deserves fair compensation for their creative contributions.”
In a joint letter addressed to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, the committees criticized the Government for its failure to publish an impact assessment regarding how these proposals may affect the UK’s thriving £126 billion creative industry. The MPs stated: “AI developers should be more transparent regarding their training data, just as the Government should provide clearer economic analyses supporting the proposals outlined in the consultation.”
The letter also expressed disappointment at tech giants Google and OpenAI for not providing evidence to the committees concerning their plans, remarking: “It is regrettable that they opted to decline our invitation. This response is all too familiar for our committees, which are dedicated to enhancing public understanding of how global corporations develop, operate, and deploy their products, making decisions that impact everyone.”
Under its controversial initiative to establish Britain as a leading hub for generative AI, Labour proposes permitting tech companies to access content without restrictions, unless copyright holders explicitly choose to “opt-out.” The Government predicts that a fully developed AI sector could generate an additional £47 billion annually over the next decade. However, this plan has sparked outrage among notable British artists, including Sir Elton John and playwright Sir Tom Stoppard.
The i Paper is in support of the Make It Fair campaign, which seeks to uphold existing copyright regulations and necessitates that tech companies obtain permission to utilize British-made content for training their software models.
Concerns Over “Opt-Out” System
Dame Caroline Dinenage, the Conservative Chair of the Culture Committee, asserted that the Government’s proposed “opt-out” system cannot be effective until a reliable technical mechanism is established. This mechanism would allow creatives to track and charge for the use of their content, ensuring that AI developers could not simply “plunder the fruits of their hard-earned success without consent.”
She remarked: “The Government’s proposal, which places the responsibility on creators to opt-out of AI training, is akin to granting burglars access to your home unless there’s a conspicuous sign on your front door explicitly stating that theft is prohibited.”
Under current UK copyright laws, established in 1709, the rights to reproduce or profit from creative works automatically belong to their creators. Consequently, the unauthorized removal of copyright-protected materials from the internet for commercial use is illegal.
Ministers are reportedly considering revisions to their AI strategy, which could afford certain creative sectors, such as music and publishing, enhanced protections. These sectors might be allowed an “opt-in” option that would grant them the automatic right to be approached by any AI developer wishing to use their content, along with the ability to impose a suitable licensing fee.
Potential Impact on News Organizations
However, mass media outlets, including news organizations, are likely to remain subjected to the “opt-out” system, allowing their content to be scraped from the internet unless they specify otherwise.
James Frith, a Labour MP and former singer who has been vocal in the debate surrounding the current proposals, conveyed to the i Paper that implementing a two-tier system could pave the way for AI systems to “steal the livelihoods” of Britain’s creatives. He stated: “There is widespread concern throughout the creative industries regarding AI infringing on the livelihoods of our artists. An opt-out system threatens to undermine our valuable creative sector. If nurtured rather than dismantled, our creative sector will drive the economic growth we desire. Failing to protect it means AI models could exploit individuals’ work to produce competing content without compensation—something we wouldn’t tolerate in any other industry.”
The rising tide of complaints from prominent creatives, in an industry typically viewed as supportive of Labour, is believed to have alarmed party MPs. Backbenchers have reportedly approached party whips to express their concerns about the escalating grassroots anger being stirred by the proposed changes. The Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology has yet to respond to requests for comment.
