AI Copyright Disputes Escalate Globally Amid US-China Tensions and UK Music Industry Backlash
Published on 5.20.25
The use of copyrighted materials in AI models has become a contentious issue globally, with governments proposing different approaches to balance innovation with intellectual property rights. In the US, there is a growing concern that China's government is leveraging copyrighted materials in AI models developed by companies like OpenAI to gain an unfair advantage.
The British government's proposal to allow tech firms to train AI models on UK music and creative output has been met with criticism from industry giants such as Elton John, Paul McCartney, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Ed Sheeran. They argue that this plan will harm young artists who lack resources to fight against big tech companies.
The US government has taken steps to address the concern of China exploiting copyrighted materials in AI models by implementing measures to prevent it. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's proposal would require creators to opt out if they don't want their work used, but its effectiveness is unclear.