The MU has been meeting with, and briefing, MPs and Ministers on our concerns. Photo: Shutterstock.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
As we reported in January, the MU has now responded to the Government’s consultation on AI. Members are also encouraged to have their say and submit their concerns by the closing date of 25 February.
In summary, the Government is currently consulting on a proposal to introduce a new exception in UK copyright law.
This exception would permit tech firms to use creative works (including songs and recordings), to train AI systems for commercial purposes without any need for permission from, or payment to, the original creators or rights holders, unless they exercise a rights reservation - which would then allow them to prevent AI systems being trained on their creative works, or negotiate a licence fee for permitting it.
The MU's position is to oppose the exception and rights reservation system, and request that copyright be strengthened with the introduction of a new AI training right in UK copyright law. The new right would prevent labels and publishers relying on vague contractual terms in old agreements to assume they already had the right to license works to AI without consultation with creators.
We propose that the right is unwaivable, so couldn't be removed from a creator through wording buried in a contract or website terms and conditions. It would also be unassignable other than to a collecting society, who could then act on behalf of creators to license recordings or compositions to AI, where agreed, for a known, ongoing agreed licence fee. We feel this would be the fairest and most transparent way of permitting AI companies access to works, whilst protecting the rights and careers of musicians and composers.
The MU has been meeting with, and briefing, MPs and Ministers on our concerns, and we also raised the issue with the Prime Minister.
Music Streaming
MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has been attending Government-facilitated meetings for several months, aiming to persuade the major record labels to improve remuneration for musicians, as part of the Union’s ongoing #FixStreaming campaign.
Progress has been slow, but discussions continue and we are very grateful to the Government and to Minister Chris Bryant for their focus on this issue.
It was also wonderful to see Musicians’ Union member Anneliese Midgley MP discuss the issue in parliament.
Additionally, a joint event in parliament last week with the Council of Music Makers (CMM) also gave MU colleagues the chance to discuss music streaming, AI, and ticket resale issues with MPs.
Music Education
Naomi recently spoke at the launch of the new Arts and Minds campaign, which was attended by Secretary of State for Culture Lisa Nandy, who also expressed her support for the values of the campaign.
Arts and Minds is a coalition of over 20 organisations including the National Education Union, Equity and the MU. It is calling for all children to have the right to study arts subjects, and for arts funding in schools to be fully restored.
Speakers and performers at the launch event included Dame Arlene Phillips, musicians Andy Gangadeen (drummer with Chase & Status) and Harry Shotta, actor Jamie Kenna (Peaky Blinders) and artists Bob and Roberta Smith. The campaign is supported by many other well-known names including Steve Coogan, classical musicians the Kanneh-Mason family, dancer and choreographer Carlos Acosta, writer Michael Rosen, cartoonist Steve Bell, and Billy Elliot creator Lee Hall.
Read more about the launch, background to the campaign, and its asks of government in our recent news story.