More on the UK Government Copyright and AI Consultation

Last month I published my contribution to the UK Government’s ongoing Copyright and AI Consultation.

I forgot to mention in that post that I had also written to my MP Helena Dollimore (Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Hastings, Rye and the villages), and today I received her reply, so I wanted to document that here.

My email to Helena Dollimore MP

Dear Helena Dollimore,

I'm getting in touch as a resident of Hastings and an artist who is deeply concerned about the abundance of AI we've seen these past few years. Currently, there are a large number of lawsuits happening around the legality of AI data scraping and it's come to my attention that Labour is considering an opt-out approach to scraping. Meaning that it would be up to the individual to alert each and every single AI company/service that they don't want their intellectual property to be used to train AI models.

I think this is deeply misguided for a number of reasons - but mainly because it puts the onus on artists, writers, and other arts practitioners who are already suffering from the effects of the previous government (Brexit, austerity, the cost-of-living crisis, etc) to chase the hundreds, soon-to-be-thousands, of AI start-ups to demand that they not steal my artwork.

The AI companies will doubtless complain that unless they can freely take the products of my work without asking me first (the opt-out solution currently being floated) then their business model won't work. Well no, if your business model relies on you not paying hard-working people for their work then it's not a viable business model.

The opt-out solution sounds like a blessing to billionaires, and a disaster for artists and the creative industries of the UK. Please use whatever leverage you have to push for a an opt-in approach to scraping where the billionaires must seek permission from (and pay) the hard-working artist whose work is being used to make the billionaires even wealthier.

Thank you for your time,

Paul Watson

Reply from Helena Dollimore MP

[You can view the PDF version here if you want to read it with a House of Commons letterhead.]

Dear Paul Watson,

Re: Intellectual Property Rights and Artificial Intelligence

Thank you for contacting me about creative industries and the application of copyright laws to artificial intelligence (AI).
I am so proud of the artistic and cultural heritage of our area. From our festivals, to our museums and musical heritage, Hastings, Rye and the villages would not be the same without the contributions of our local artists.

It is important that human-centred creativity is protected and supported, whilst finding the balance and exploring the potential of emerging technologies.

I believe that right holders should be able to exercise control over the use of their content in the training of AI models and support their ability to be remunerated for their work. Writers, musicians, artists and other creatives should have the ability to know and control the use of their content, as well as the ability to seek licensing deals and fair payment.

The application of UK copyright law to the training of AI models is currently disputed and these are the challenges right holders face today. Right holders are often unable in practice to control how copyright in their work is used or to gain remuneration for their works, this is often particularly true for new or solo artists. This situation is hampering innovation and growth in both our creative and AI sectors. As such, the Labour Government opened a public consultation on plans to provide legal certainty to both sectors.

I will continue to monitor the developments on this and listen to the concerns from those in creative industries, I have also discussed this with the Musicians’ Union. I have written to Sir Chris Bryant MP, the Minister of State for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism, to share the concerns of my constituents. Please find that letter attached to this email.

Thank you again for getting in touch with me on this important issue and if I can be of help on this or any other matter affecting you or your family, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

All the best,

Helena Dollimore MP
Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Hastings, Rye and the villages

Attached letter from Helena Dollimore MP to Chris Bryant MP, the Minister of State for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism

[Once again, you can view the PDF version here if you want to read it with a House of Commons letterhead.]

Dear Chris Bryant,

Re: Artificial Intelligence and the Creative Arts

I am writing on behalf of the artistic community in my constituency, many of whom have recently contacted me regarding their concerns about potential changes to the application of copyright laws to artificial intelligence.

The creative industry is incredibly valuable to our economy both nationally and in my constituency. Hastings and Rye has a vibrant arts community which I am so proud to represent. Hastings, Rye and the villages would not be the same without the contributions of our amazing local artists and musicians.

I am aware that the Government is currently considering the responses from the recent Copyright and Artificial Intelligence consultation. But it would be greatly appreciated if you could respond to these queries raised by my constituents.

First, my constituents would greatly appreciate if you could clarify if any regulation would override the rights of creatives to not use their work in generative AI training?

Once a creative has withheld their copyright how will the Government ensure that unauthorized use of these works do not make it into the final versions of generative AI models?

If an artist does approve to the use of their works how will the Government ensure that creatives receive appropriate compensation?

Thank you for your clarifying how this Government plans to support the UK creative industry and grow the technologies of the future.

Yours sincerely,

Helena Dollimore MP
Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Hastings, Rye and the villages