UK Eyes Rule Allowing AI to Train on Copyrighted Music

The UK government is considering a new copyright rule called a ‘commercial research exception.’

Why it matters:

• It would allow AI companies to train their models on copyrighted music (and other creative works) without asking for permission.

• If those companies want to sell or release products built from that training, they will then need licenses from rights holders.

• The proposal has the backing of companies such as Microsoft, Google and Meta, which argue it would make AI research and development easier.

The opposition:

• As per Music Business Worldwide, music industry groups such as the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), which represents the UK’s major and independent record labels, say it would give AI developers too much power.

• They argue that once AI firms have trained models on large amounts of music for free and the models exist, rights holders will have weaker negotiating power.

Political context:

• The government previously floated an ‘opt out’ model, through which AI companies could scrape copyrighted works unless creators opted out.

• The proposal was abandoned after strong opposition from more than 400 artists and industry figures such as Elton John, Paul McCartney, Dua Lipa and Coldplay, who signed a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisting the government demand transparency from AI companies around training data.

Next steps:

• The UK government is expected to announce its direction on AI and copyright reform on March 18.

What they said:

• Sophie Jones, Director of Strategy at the BPI, speaking with The Times: “In the months since the government began its consultation on AI and copyright, numerous deals between music companies and AI developers have been struck and it has become abundantly clear that AI licensing can develop in a way which benefits the UK’s creative and AI sectors. We recommend that the government focuses on enabling this opportunity by implementing sensible record-keeping measures, rather than on an ill-conceived, damaging and unnecessary weakening of copyright that would hamper growth just as the licensing market is developing.”