UK Government Abandons AI Copyright Exemption After Creative Sector Pushback
The UK government has dropped its proposal to let AI companies use copyrighted material without permission, reversing course after sustained opposition from photographers, musicians, and other creators.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed that the opt-out model - which would have required rights holders to actively block their work from AI training - "is no longer the government's preferred way forward". Under that system, creators would have borne the burden of policing their own copyrights.
The shift follows a public consultation where creative organizations overwhelmingly rejected the original approach. Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney were among prominent figures who called the opt-out system "legalizing theft".
Kendall said the government "listened" to feedback from creatives, AI firms, unions, academics, and industry bodies. "This engagement has shaped our approach," she said.
What remains uncertain
The government has not settled on a final framework. A potential "science and research exemption" is still under consideration - a provision that critics worry could allow AI developers to train on protected works first and negotiate licenses later, weakening creators' negotiating power.
Ed Newton-Rex, chief executive of Fairly Trained, told The Times of London that the government's reversal is welcome but incomplete. "Virtually everything is still on the table, including the opt-out," he said. "It's just kicking the can down the road."
Owen Meredith of the News Media Association warned that any exemption tied to research or commercial use would undermine creators. The government must reject such options entirely, he said.
Next steps
The government says it is balancing the creative sector's interests against the expanding AI industry. Kendall said reforms will not proceed "until we are confident that they will meet our objectives for the economy and UK citizens".
Planned work includes labeling AI-generated content, improving licensing systems, and addressing deepfakes. The broader question of how AI companies can legally use copyrighted material remains unresolved.
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