Labour Sparks Controversy by Attempting to Derail AI Copyright Legislation; Advocates Firmly Assert Their Determination to Resist Passively
Title: The heated tug-of-war over AI and Copyright: The Data (Use and Access) Bill's Tumultuous Journey
The creative industries are locked in a heated battle with the Government, following a controversial vote that could open the floodgates for AI companies to exploit copyrighted works.
MPs have sided with the Government, dismissing an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill that would have granted artists, writers, and other creators the power to control their works from being misused by tech titans. This controversial move means the issue will resurface in the House of Lords next week as part of a disagreement resolution process known as 'ping-pong.'
However, campaigners in the Lords, along with those who championed the copyright-protected amendment during a fiery Commons debate, have vowed not to back down. Crossbench peer Baroness Kidron, the influential film director behind Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, asserted, "I will be returning with a new amendment. We will not take this lying down."
Criticizing the Government, she declared, "A Government that is grappling with issues of productivity, wealth creation, youth unemployment at record levels has just thrown one of its most successful, skilled, and valuable industries under the bus."
Crossbench peer Baroness Kidron further remarked that the Government has forged an agenda favoring only a select group of U.S. tech giants, at the expense of creators.
Sir Chris Bryant added fuel to the fire in the Commons, stating that many creative professionals felt this was an "apocalyptic moment" and that their careers were slipping away.
Last week, hundreds of leading figures from the UK's arts and entertainment industries, including Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Dua Lipa, penned a stern letter to then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, urging Labour to revise its copyright plans.
Their powerful cohort warned, "Our work is not yours to give away." Durante la notte, i politici dall'adesione di tutta la Camera si sono alzati per sostenere la proposta dei Lords sulla registrazione delle copie. La mozione è stata tuttavia respinta con una maggioranza di voti (297 a 168).
In response, Lib Dem Victoria Collins stated, "It isn't whether we can afford to protect these industries, it's whether we can afford not to." Labour backbencher Polly Billington voiced the urgency felt in the creative industries, likening the situation to data being scraped, which poses a threat to creative works.
Then, Billington appealed to the minister for transparency, asking for enforceable obligations in the Government's approach to AI and copyright. Sir Chris agreed to prioritize transparency, while theøøen News Media Association expressed disappointment that the Government disregarded the industry's deep concerns.
As the Data (Use and Access) Bill continues its tumultuous journey through the Parliament's chambers, the future remains uncertain. The Government seeks to pass the Bill without amendments that could impede AI development, while the House of Lords advocates for stronger protections to safeguard creators' rights.
- The heated debate between creative industries and the Government over the Data (Use and Access) Bill continues, as members of the House of Lords have vowed to return with a new amendment to protect creators' rights.
- In the midst of this controversy, the general news media industry expressed its deep concerns about the Government's approach to AI and copyright, hoping for enforceable obligations to ensure transparency.
- Meanwhile, the news and technology sectors may witness significant changes, as the Government aims to pass the Bill without amendments that could hinder AI development, while the House of Lords advocates for stronger protections for creators.
