AI versus authors:
UK says Yes to Copyright –

to the dismay of big tech and their political allies.

Important step for authors and artists

The EWC congratulates its member, the Society of Authors (SoA), on successfully defending copyright against government attempts to undermine it!
=> read more details on the Society of Authors (SoA)-Website here.

Background

British policymakers were on the verge of making the same miserable mistake as the EU and, for the financial benefit of non-European AI developers, introducing an exception to copyright law similar to the European Text and Data Mining Provision, with an opt-out system that has not worked on our continent for years – or is simply ignored.
The exemption under consideration would have opened up a goldmine of high-quality, English-language books to tech companies, exploiting the authors of these books, and producing machine-created texts that might eventually harm already-low author incomes.

Authors step up and join forces

In 11,520 responses to the consultation on AI and copyright, authors and artists from the UK and around the world, together with their organisations – including an extensive response by EWC – took a united stand against their state’s attack on cultural and creative professionals.

EWC’ position

‘We are still analysing the British Government’s 117-page report,’ said Nina George, Political Commissioner of the EWC. ‘But it is already clear that whilst the UK has said “Yes” to copyright, it has not necessarily said “Yes” to authors –

the report does not hide the idea UK sees its future more in machines than in people. Nor do the terms of reference of the four working groups (described in detail within the SoA’s comment) obscure this view.”

Pending Threats

There are still huge levels of uncertainty that threaten livelihoods when authors’ copyright-protected work continues to be used without permission”,

the Society of Authors confirmed.
“We petitioned the government a year ago asking for justice for authors. The pace of progress needs to match the excessive speed at which AI is developing and encroaching on creative industries.

Each day that the uncertainly continues is a risk to author incomes. Failure to act without further delay will unquestionably have a catastrophic and irreversible impact on all UK authors.”

And not just for the UK – but for anyone with an UK-publisher.

EWC’ call & next urgent steps

Accordingly, the EWC is calling unequivocally on the UK government to impose penalties on those companies that have exploited the work and creative output of authors without compensation, and to demand full, title-specific transparency regarding the works used by every AI system and model operating on UK soil. Companies failing to provide this information should have their market access revoked.

=> read more details on the Society of Authors (SoA)-Website here.