UK Government Withdraws Proposal for AI Copyright Default Use Amid Creator Backlash

ChainCatcher report: The UK government has abandoned its previous proposal to allow AI companies to default to using copyrighted content for model training under an “opt-out” framework. The proposal had drawn widespread opposition, including from Elton John, Dua Lipa, and the UK House of Lords. UK Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated that the government had listened to stakeholders and would no longer proceed with the proposal. A accompanying report noted that no consensus has yet been reached on how to balance creators’ rights with the development of the AI industry. Tom Kiehl, CEO of UK Music, called the decision a “major victory.” However, the UK government has not yet proposed an alternative and stated it will not amend current copyright laws until it is confident that any reforms can achieve economic and social objectives. Industry groups have expressed concern that prolonged regulatory uncertainty could undermine the UK’s competitive position globally.