Bectu, Equity welcome UK government U-turn on AI copyright plans

UK creative industries’ trade body Bectu and actors’ union Equity have welcomed the UK government’s decision to drop its plans to allow tech firms to use copyrighted work for AI training.

Philippa Childs

The government had previously proposed plans that would let AI companies use copyright-protected work to train their models without permission, unless the copyright owners opted out.

On Wednesday, technology secretary Liz Kendall said the government had backtracked on those plans, following backlash from across the creative community, including from musician Elton John and James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.

“We have listened. We have engaged extensively with creatives, AI firms, industry bodies, unions, academics and AI adopters, and that engagement has shaped our approach,” Kendall said.

However, the government’s position is now unclear, with Kendall added it “no longer has a preferred option” for what to do next.

Responding to the U-turn, Bectu’s head, Philippa Childs, said: “Today’s announcement that the government will not proceed with plans for a copyright exception on text and data mining for AI training is welcome news for the UK’s creative industries.

“Bectu has been clear that any model which places the burden on individual creators to ‘opt-out’ of the use of copyrighted work for AI training is unworkable, unfair and disproportionately harms freelancers.

“We look forward to building on this announcement and engaging closely with the government on a renewed approach that puts creative workers first, ensuring they have meaningful control over how their work and data are used.”

Paul Fleming

Other industry organisations have also expressed support for the decision. Paul W Fleming, general secretary of actors’ trade union Equity, said: “The pause announced today is recognition that selling out the UK’s creative industries to benefit US tech companies would’ve been an act of national self-sabotage.

“The UK should be the best place on the planet to create, supporting the government’s growth agenda through a strong copyright regime and respect for creative workers.

“We welcome the government’s intention to introduce measures on digital replicas and we look forward to working with them to develop new protections against unauthorised and unpaid use of a performer’s voice and likeness, the bedrock of our members’ careers.”