Creators' data is regularly being taken without permission, impacting creators' income and their ability to continue to work. Image credit: Shutterstock.
The Creators’ Rights Alliance (CRA) has written a letter to a range of companies working in software development, including Microsoft, Google, OPENAI, Apple and META.
The letter states that it does not consent to its creators' work being used to develop AI models unless they have specifically agreed licensing arrangements with creators and rightsholders.
Unlawful use of creators’ content by Big Tech must end
The CRA is a coalition that exists to protect the interests of over 500,000 members working as professional creators in the UK’s creative industries.
The letter outlines the CRA’s position that it does not authorise the use of any of its members’ works protected by copyright and/or related rights in relation to the training, development, or operation of AI models.
“We know that artificial intelligence, including generative AI programs can be useful tools,” states the letter.
“However, to safeguard human creativity, truthful content and the rights of authors, creators, and performers, it is vital that AI models are developed and used in a legal, sustainable, and ethical manner.”
Creators should receive appropriate compensation, credit and permission
Generative AI models have used vast amounts of copyright-protected work without the authorisation of the rightsholders(s) and creator(s).
The letter asks for compensation for rightsholders and creators who have had their works used in this way, and for the option of having their works, and derivations of those works removed if they so wish, and to receive full credit where permission has been granted.
The letter also calls on developers of generative AI systems to provide full transparency about works used to develop their models, and to obtain consent from creators and rightsholders before using their works.
It also asks for developers to offer appropriate remuneration and attribution to all creators concerned with the work.
Ensuring our creative work makes for a prosperous future for everyone
The Musicians’ Union welcomes the CRA letter and its aim to promote the interests of the UK’s creative industries.
Creators' data is regularly being taken without permission and used to train AI, and this is already having an impact on creators' income and their ability to continue to work.
This means that until there are stronger frameworks in place, AI remains a threat to the music industry ecosystem. We hope that developing current models in a way that protects the creators involved will create pathways towards a more equitable system.