UK Government Shelves Broad AI Copyright Exception After Industry Pushback
The UK government has abandoned its original plan to expand copyright exceptions for AI developers, according to a report released following last year's public consultation on copyright and artificial intelligence.
The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising said the decision to shelve the broader data mining exception marks a shift after the government's initial preference favored AI developers. The move came after the creative sector raised concerns about the proposal's impact on rights holders.
What Happens Next
The government said it will gather more evidence on alternative approaches and assess their effects on rights holders, AI developers, system users, and small businesses. No timeline for the next phase has been announced.
For government officials involved in AI policy, the report flags three areas likely to affect advertising and content creation: AI content labeling requirements, digital replicas, and a potential new personality right to protect performers.
Computer-Generated Works May Lose Protection
The report suggests the government may remove copyright protection for wholly computer-generated works-a category created under the Copyright Act in 1988, decades before modern AI emerged. Officials described the protection as an outdated provision that no longer reflects current technology.
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View the government's full report and impact assessment for detailed analysis of the consultation findings.
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