The BPI has responded to the government’s proposed amendments to the Data Bill related to AI and copyright.
The amendments, which were first reported in The Guardian, are being tabled at discussions of the Bill in Parliament next week.
The government will pledge to carry out an economic impact assessment of the proposed copyright changes. It will also publish reports on issues including transparency, licensing and access to data for AI developers.
It follows a united front from the creative industries, including artists and the music industry, against the original proposals with the Make It Fair initiative.
Major artists including Paul McCartney and Elton John joined the campaigning against the artificial intelligence proposals from the government, which would have required artists and rights-holders to opt out generative AI using their works for training.
While the government has made concessions, it will not likely be enough to win over the music industry.
In response to news of the amendments, BPI chief strategy officer Sophie Jones said:"While these amendments may be welcome in acknowledging the complexity and time needed to fully consider some of the most damaging aspects of the government’s proposals, they should not be taken as a gain for the creative industries.
“We would expect a deep analysis of the economic impact of the government’s proposed weakening of copyright as a normal part of any policy process, so we do not consider these as concessions. However, we look forward to providing our expertise on the music industry and copyright as these reports are compiled.
“Crucially, and most urgently, we urge the government to prioritise the introduction of transparency measures – this is not a copyright matter, but a key requirement that will stimulate a dynamic licensing and right enforcement system that the government itself is ambitious to see, and will enable both the creative and AI sectors to grow in tandem.”
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