UK Government Launches Consultation on AI and Copyright

Source IPO Press Release 17 Dec 2024  Licence OGLv2.0  Crown Copyright

 








Jane Lambert

The litigation between Getty Images and Stability AI which I discussed in Copyright and Artificial Intelligence - Getty Images (US) Inc and Others v Stability AI Ltd on 12 Dec 2023 in NIPC Law shows the need for greater clarity in our copyright law as to the respective rights of content producers and software developers to use materials on the internet to train artificial intelligence models,  

In response to that concern the Intellectual Property Office in conjunction with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has launched a 10-week consultation entitled Copyright and Artificial Intelligence on how the government can ensure the UK’s legal framework for AI and copyright supports the UK creative industries and AI sector together.

The main proposal is to amend the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to allow an exception for AI training but to allow copyright owners to reserve their rights.  There are, however, other issues such as the legal protection of outputs of generative AI and the treatment of AI in design law.  There are 47 questions and respondents have until 11:59 on 25 Feb 2025 to lodge their replies.

As the consultation was launched at 10:30 on 17 Dec 2024 I have not had a chance to consider the issues in detail but I shall return to them from time to time,   Anyone wishing to discuss this article may call me on +44 (0)20 7404 5252 during UK office hours or send me a message through my contact form.

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