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On 28 February 2025, Japan’s Cabinet announced significant plans to introduce a Bill to promote research, development, and practical application of artificial intelligence technologies. The legislation focuses on transparency, protection of rights, and international cooperation.
The UK government’s consultation on copyright and AI explores how intellectual property laws apply to AI-generated works and data usage. Balancing innovation with creators’ rights, it invites public input to shape the future of copyright in the AI era.
The UK government has opened a consultation on one of the hottest topics in tech and law: copyright and artificial intelligence (AI). With AI technologies advancing rapidly, questions around intellectual property are more pressing than ever.
This consultation aims to address how existing copyright laws should apply when AI creates, uses, or learns from copyrighted material.
Intellectual Property Office
AI technologies often rely on vast datasets to train their systems. These datasets frequently include copyrighted material such as books, music, images, and videos. While this data is essential for AI development, it raises a fundamental question: how do copyright laws apply when these materials are used to "teach" machines?
Currently, UK copyright law permits certain uses of material without the creator's permission, such as for research purposes. However, as AI becomes more commercialised, the lines blur between permissible use and infringement.
For example, if an AI system generates an artwork inspired by existing copyrighted pieces, who owns the rights to that creation—the AI developer, the user, or no one at all?
The consultation seeks views on striking a balance between fostering innovation in AI and protecting creators’ rights. On one hand, relaxing copyright rules for AI could stimulate technological advances and attract investments in the sector. On the other hand, creators and rights holders fear losing control over how their work is used, potentially impacting their income.
A key question in the consultation revolves around "text and data mining" (TDM)—a process that enables AI to analyse large amounts of text or data to find patterns and insights.
While the UK allows TDM for non-commercial purposes under existing laws, the consultation explores whether further clarity or changes are needed to accommodate commercial uses.
Intellectual Property Office
Unsurprisingly, the creative industries are paying close attention. Organisations representing authors, artists, and musicians have expressed concern that AI could diminish the value of their work.
For instance, if AI can generate books, music, or visual art using copyrighted works as a base, it may reduce demand for original creations.
These groups are also wary of the "free riding" problem—where tech companies profit from using creators' work without adequate compensation. Many stakeholders argue that creators should receive fair royalties when their material is used to train AI systems.
Tech companies and AI developers, however, caution against overly restrictive copyright rules. They argue that placing too many limitations on AI's access to data could stifle innovation and make the UK less competitive globally.
In their view, broad exemptions for TDM and other AI-related uses are necessary to ensure that companies can continue developing groundbreaking technologies.
The government has called for responses from a wide range of stakeholders, including businesses, rights holders, academics, and the public. This open consultation represents an opportunity for all voices to shape the future of copyright law in the age of AI.
Whether you're an artist worried about protecting your creations, a tech enthusiast supporting AI innovation, or a policymaker seeking to balance competing interests, this consultation promises to be a landmark moment in the conversation about technology and intellectual property.
This consultation will run for 10 weeks. It commences on 17 December 2024 and will close on 25 February 2025.
On 28 February 2025, Japan’s Cabinet announced significant plans to introduce a Bill to promote research, development, and practical application of artificial intelligence technologies. The legislation focuses on transparency, protection of rights, and international cooperation.
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