AI, Copyright, and the UK’s Creative Industry at a Legal Crossroads
Dr. Beatriz San Martin highlights legal challenges as UK copyright rules face changes amid AI growth. Data scraping for AI training may infringe on creators’ rights.
San Martin Weighs In on AI, Copyright, and the Creative Industry’s Legal Crossroads
June 23, 2025
Dr. Beatriz San Martin, an Intellectual Property and Technology expert, recently shared her insights on the ongoing debate about AI, copyright, and the creative sector’s legal protections. Her comments appeared in both CMOtech UK and the Solicitors’ Journal, which focused on the UK government's current stance on copyright rules amid AI development.
The government’s proposed reforms could weaken copyright safeguards for creatives, prioritizing AI industry growth instead. San Martin highlighted a key legal issue: when data scraping is used to train AI models, including copyrighted material without consent or licensing, it likely constitutes copyright infringement.
She explained copyright as a tradable property right, similar to licensing song lyrics or renting out a home. While some public figures, like Sir Elton John, have called these uses “theft,” San Martin pointed out that this phrase, although legally incorrect, reflects how critical the matter is to creatives and their livelihoods.
San Martin also emphasized the legal uncertainty around whether AI training processes and their outputs infringe copyright. She noted that courts will assess these matters on a case-by-case basis, depending on the specific technology and how it generates results.
For creatives working with or affected by AI, staying informed about these legal developments is essential. Understanding how copyright law applies to AI can help protect your work and rights as these technologies continue to evolve.
