UK Government Withdraws AI Copyright Default Use Proposal, Creators Hail as Major Victory

SmartContractAuditor · 2026-03-19T04:26:13+00:00

The UK government has announced it is abandoning a proposal to allow AI companies to use copyrighted content under an "opt-out" basis, following widespread opposition. Technology Minister Liz Kendall stated the government would listen to all stakeholders, but did not propose an alternative approach. Copyright law will remain unchanged, though industry concerns persist that the lack of clear rules could impact competitiveness.

SmartContractAuditor

2026-03-19 04:26:13

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Odaily Planet Daily News: The UK government has announced the abandonment of its previous proposal that allowed AI companies to use copyrighted content for model training under a “opt-out” basis. The plan had sparked widespread opposition from figures including Elton John, Dua Lipa, and the UK House of Lords.

UK Minister for Digital and Culture Liz Kendall stated that the government has listened to all parties and will no longer pursue the proposal. A report released simultaneously indicated that there is still no consensus across sectors on how to balance creators’ rights with the development of the AI industry. Tom Kiehl, CEO of UK Music, called this a “major victory.”

However, the UK government has not yet proposed an alternative and said it will not amend current copyright laws until reforms can achieve economic and social goals. Tech industry groups are concerned that the lack of clear rules over the long term could weaken the UK’s position in global competition. (BBC)

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