Legendary musician Paul McCartney sounds the alarm on proposed changes to copyright law, warning that they could ‘rip off’ artists and stifle creativity. The proposals aim to address the use of copyrighted material in AI training models.
Paul McCartney Warns Against Proposed Changes to Copyright Law
Former Beatles member Paul McCartney has expressed concerns that a proposed overhaul of copyright law could “rip off” artists and result in a loss of creativity. The proposals, which are currently under consultation, aim to address the use of copyrighted material to train AI models.
McCartney believes that the current system is unfair, stating: “You get young guys, girls, coming up, and they write a beautiful song, and they don’t own it, and they don’t have anything to do with it. And anyone who wants can just rip it off.” He argues that the money generated from the use of copyrighted material should go to the creators themselves.
The Threat of AI to Creative Industries
McCartney is not the only one concerned about the impact of AI on the creative industries. A petition signed by McCartney, Julianne Moore, Stephen Fry, and Hugh Bonneville, among others, warns that the unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI poses a major threat to the livelihoods of creators.
The debate around the use of copyrighted material to train AI models has sparked controversy worldwide, with legal cases launched by companies and individuals in the creative industries. While some publishing organizations and media outlets have signed licensing deals with AI companies, others argue that this is not enough to protect the rights of creators.
Government Consultation
The government has launched a consultation on copyright law, which will run until 25 February. The consultation aims to explore key points of the debate, including how to improve trust between the creative and AI sectors, and how creators can license and be remunerated for the use of their material.
McCartney has appealed to the government to rethink the plans, stating: “We’re the people, you’re the government. You’re supposed to protect us. That’s your job.” He argues that the government should prioritize the protection of creative thinkers and artists, rather than allowing them to be exploited by AI companies.
A Call for Fair Remuneration
The novelist Kate Mosse has backed a campaign for amendments to the data bill that would allow the enforcement of the UK’s existing copyright law. This would enable creators to negotiate for fair payment when licensing their material.
In November 2023, McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr created the song “Now And Then” using AI technology to separate John Lennon‘s vocals from a home demo recorded in 1977. The culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, has stated that this government believes that creatives should have control over how their content is used by AI firms and be able to seek licensing deals and fair payment.
The consultation on copyright law provides an opportunity for the government to address the concerns of McCartney and other creatives. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the proposed changes will prioritize the protection of artists or allow them to be exploited by AI companies.
- theguardian.com | Paul McCartney says change in law over AI could ‘rip off’ artists
