MPA responds to AI copyright update, highlighting need for transparency

The UK’s creative IP is immensely valuable, and today’s government update on AI and copyright offers some vital structural wins for our sector.

Crucially, it confirms that the unworkable opt-out exception is no longer the government’s preferred approach. Alongside the welcome proposal to remove copyright protection for wholly computer-generated works this is a vote of confidence in the UK’s creative industries.

However, there is still significant work to do to truly protect UK creators.

A licensing-first approach only works if it is backed by robust, enforceable transparency and firm rules on international compliance.

We will be actively engaging with policymakers to address these gaps, champion creators and rightsholders, and work towards a fair, and transparent licensing market.

MPA CEO Paul Clements commented:

“The government’s decision to step away from sweeping copyright reform and abandon the proposed ‘opt-out’ model is a clear and positive signal for songwriters, composers, and the wider music publishing ecosystem. By rejecting this unworkable approach and proposing to remove copyright protections for wholly computer-generated works, the government is showing it has listened to the voice of the creative industries and chosen to protect the immense value of human creativity.

While I am hopeful this can prove to be a turning point for ethical AI development in the UK, a sustainable, licensing-led market cannot function on voluntary measures alone and we remain concerned by the lack of legislative direction on issues including transparency.

We look forward to continuing our work with the government and keeping them abreast of how the licensing market continues to grow, while maintaining our focus on securing the true transparency and sovereignty required to protect the creators and rightsowners our sector supports.”