Paul McCartney, Elton John and more than 400 artists sign letter to "protect copyright in the age of AI"

More than 400 top UK artists in the creative industry - including Paul McCartney, Elton John and Coldplay - have signed a letter urging British prime minister Keir Starmer to rethink laws around copyright in the age of AI.

“We will lose an immense growth opportunity if we give our work away at the behest of a handful of powerful overseas tech companies and with it our future income, the UK’s position as a creative powerhouse, and any hope that the technology of daily life will embody the values and laws of the United Kingdom,” warned the letter.

It also stated that copyright is the "lifeblood of the creative industries" and "provides an income stream for 2.4 million people."

The letter specifically urged for an amendment to a data bill which is set to be voted on in parliament later today.

 

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Politician and copyright law campaigner Beeban Kidron, who organised both the letter and the proposed changes to the bill, said the signatories were speaking out “to ensure a positive future for the next generation of creators and innovators”.

The proposed changes would require AI firms to notify copyright owners on which material had been used to train their models.

The current government plans allow AI companies to use copyrighted material without permission, unless the copyright holder voluntarily "opts out" by indicating they won't allow their work to be used free of charge.

Speaking to The Guardian, music producer Giles Martin was sceptical on the practicality of the proposal: “When Paul McCartney wrote 'Yesterday' his first thought was ‘how do I record this’ and not ‘how do I stop someone stealing this’."

Paul McCartney had previously advocated for stricter copyright laws in a BBC interview in January of this year.

The letter also includes signatures from leading industry professionals in media, theatre, film and TV, design, arts organisations and creative businesses.

Earlier this year, more than 1000 UK musicians, including Kate Bush and Annie Lennox, released a silent album in protest against the UK's plan to allow AI companies to use artists' copyright-protected work without permission.