In a significant development for the creative industries, a campaign supported by music icons including Dua Lipa and Sir Elton John to safeguard artistic copyright from artificial intelligence has received massive public backing. The move comes as the UK government grapples with how to regulate the use of copyrighted material in training AI models.
Overwhelming Public Support for Copyright Protection
The campaign received a substantial boost after the results of a government consultation were revealed. A staggering 95% of the more than 10,000 respondents argued for either strengthening copyright law or making no changes that would weaken it. They demanded a requirement for tech companies to obtain licenses before using creative works to train their AI systems.
This public sentiment stands in stark contrast to the government's initial, tech-friendly proposal. That plan would have required artists and rights holders to actively opt out of having their books, music, and films used by AI companies. A mere 3% of consultation respondents supported this idea, leading ministers to abandon it following a fierce backlash from the creative sector.
High-Profile Campaign and Political Pressure
The campaign has united a who's who of British music talent. Alongside Dua Lipa and Elton John, artists like Sam Fender, Kate Bush, and the Pet Shop Boys have voiced strong opposition to any dilution of copyright law. Their fears centre on ministers paying excessive attention to the interests of large US tech corporations.
These concerns were amplified by comments from former US President Donald Trump, who advocated for AI companies to use copyrighted knowledge pools without complex negotiations. He warned governments against creating rules that would make it "impossible" for AI firms to operate.
In a notable act of protest, Sir Paul McCartney last month released a new, almost silent recording. The track, featuring only ambient studio noise, was a direct statement against copyright theft by AI companies.
Government's Cautious Stance and Industry Demands
Facing this pressure, Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told Parliament on Monday that there was "no clear consensus" on the issue. She pledged the government would "take the time to get this right" and promised to bring forward policy proposals by 18 March 2026.
Kendall stated the need for an approach that supports both innovation and the creative industries, which contribute significantly to the UK economy and culture. She has previously indicated sympathy for artists' demands for payment and a desire to "reset" the debate.
However, campaigners argue the consultation provides a clear mandate. Composer and campaigner Ed Newton-Rex said the result was a "total rejection" of giving AI companies creative works for free. He urged Kendall to "listen to the people and rule out changing copyright law to benefit AI companies."
Owen Meredith, CEO of the News Media Association, called for an end to uncertainty, asking the government to rule out new copyright exceptions. He argued this would send a clear message to AI developers to secure licenses, thereby unlocking investment and ensuring the use of high-quality, trustworthy content in AI models.
