Legal News & Updates

10th July 2023

 

There have been government working groups meeting recently to potentially develop a code of practice.

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Back in March, recommendations were made by Sir Patrick Vallance about the need to clarify how copyright protected data may be used within AI systems, including generative AI.

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Previously concerns had been raised by copyright holders that their creative efforts might be used and inputted to train AI large language models - without their permission or proper recognition!

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The government is now working on the recommendations made by Vallance to try and balance the rights of copyright holders with the text and data mining needs of AI developers.

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On 29 June 2023, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) announced that work had started to develop a voluntary code of practice for copyright and AI. The working group will consider how best to manage the following:

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• Identifying any creator concerns relating to the use of copyright works, performances and databases by AI systems and users; and

• Identifying any barriers to the access to copyright works, performances and databases by AI systems and users, including for the purposes of text and data mining.

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The working group, chaired by the IPO, is hopeful that the voluntary code of practice will set out commitments and expectations in relation to AI firms' use of protected material and the right holders who own protected material.

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If the code of practice is not adopted, or agreement is not reached, legislation could be considered.

Watch this space!