UK Government Seeks Public Input on AI and Copyright Rules

The UK Government has launched a consultation on developing new AI regulations.

With AI development outstripping the pace of regulation, governments are under the spotlight as they attempt to stay ahead of GenAI rules while maintaining the current pace of innovation.

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To address tensions between AI and copyright laws, the UK Government has launched a consultation seeking public input on new regulations. This move aims to strike a balance between supporting AI innovation and protecting the rights of creators and rightsholders.

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Confusion over how copyright applies to AI training is causing uncertainty for both tech companies and creative industries. The Government's ministerial foreword states, "This status quo cannot continue. It risks limiting investment, innovation, and growth in the AI sector, and in the wider economy. It effectively prevents creative industries from exercising their rights."

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To resolve this, the government is proposing a new system that would align the UK more closely with the copyright laws of the European Union: a data mining exception and rights-reservation package that would include the following features:

  1. Wide Application: Covers all types of data mining, including for business purposes.
  2. Lawful Access Required: Applies to works that users can legally access, like public internet content or subscribed material.
  3. Opt-Out Option: Rightsholders could exclude their work from this exception. In this case, a licence would be required for data mining.
  4. Increased Transparency: AI developers would need to be more open about their training sources to ensure legal compliance and build trust.

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The government is seeking feedback on the proposal, which would allow AI firms to use copyrighted material unless the owner specifically opts out. The aim is to strike a balanced framework that protects the UK's creative industries while allowing the AI sector to thrive. 

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The consultation is also inviting views on whether broader clarifications or reforms are needed to ensure UK copyright law remains fit for purpose in the age of AI. This includes addressing legal uncertainty surrounding AI and copyright law in areas such as content generation and internet search.

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The deadline for responses is 25 February 2025.

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