Creative Industries and AI: Building a Fair Copyright Framework for the GenAI Era

How Creative Industries Can Address AI’s Copyright Challenges

Artificial intelligence, especially generative AI (GenAI), is reshaping creative industries worldwide. While this technology offers exciting opportunities, it also raises significant questions about copyright, content usage, and fair payment for creators.

A new report from the CoSTAR National R&D Lab—the UK’s first national lab focused on creative industries research—offers a clear framework to help both creative professionals and AI developers manage these challenges. This initiative involves key partners like Scotland’s Abertay University, the Centre for the Decentralised Economy (DECaDE), media and technology law firm Sheridans, alongside more than 20 leading creative rights holders and AI developers.

The ACCCT Framework: A Practical Solution

The report introduces the ACCCT framework, which stands for Access, Control, Consent, Compensation, and Transparency. This framework suggests practical ways to balance innovation with respect for creators’ rights by:

• Creating a machine-readable, publicly accessible system for copyright holders to express consent or refusal for their works to be used in data and text mining.
• Establishing a legal and ethical pathway for AI companies to access creative data responsibly.
• Providing tools and control mechanisms that respect attribution and support standards and regulation.

This approach offers a clear path forward by combining technology, legal clarity, and trust-building between rights holders and AI developers.

Why This Matters for Creatives

Artists, musicians, writers, and other creatives have voiced concerns about the proposed “opt-out” models for data mining, fearing their work could be used without meaningful permission or compensation. The ACCCT framework responds to these concerns by giving creators more control and transparency over how their work is used in AI training.

At the same time, AI developers want clear, consistent rules to grow their businesses responsibly within the UK. This framework aims to break the current deadlock and protect centuries of copyright tradition while supporting innovation.

Voices from the Industry

Sir Peter Bazalgette, co-chair of the Creative Industries Council, highlights the importance of this framework: “This report provides tangible and achievable steps forward in making the UK creative industries not just fit for the age of GenAI, but a world-leader where AI developers and creative rights holders want to base their business.”

Benjamin Field, CEO of Deep Fusion Films, adds: “The report is a vital step towards ensuring that human creativity isn’t sidelined by AI, but strengthened through it. It’s grounded in the realities of the creative industries—economically, technically and artistically—and outlines a clear, practical pathway to a fairer ecosystem.”

What’s Next?

The ACCCT framework offers a roadmap for today’s technology and what to expect in the future. It focuses on practical tools, clear control mechanisms, and transparent processes to support creators and AI developers alike.

For creatives looking to deepen their understanding of AI and its impact on their work, exploring targeted AI courses can be a great way to stay informed and prepared. Check out Complete AI Training’s courses for creative professionals to get started.