Energy News
TECH SPACE
British govt suffers setback in AI copyright battle
British govt suffers setback in AI copyright battle
by AFP Staff Writers
London (AFP) May 13, 2025

The British government suffered a setback to its plans to make it easier for AI companies to access data as the House of Lords backed more protection for content creators on Monday.

The Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants to introduce a copyright exception for commercial generative AI training with its Data (Use and Access) Bill.

Under the proposed law, companies developing AI models would not need permission from creatives to access certain content -- a plan that has provoked a fierce backlash in the cultural sector.

More than 400 artists and other creatives have signed an open letter calling for the plans to be scrapped, including Paul McCartney, Elton John and Dua Lipa.

Beeban Kidron, a member of the House of Lords, Britain's upper house of parliament, on Monday tabled an amendment to the bill that was passed by 272 votes to 125.

Under the amendment, authors must give permission for their work to be used and must also be able to see what has been taken, by whom and when.

Artificial intelligence companies "are stealing some of the UK's most valuable cultural and economic assets", said Kidron, who directed one of the Bridget Jones films.

"Creators do not deny the creative and economic value of AI. But we do deny the assertion that we should have to build AI for free, with our work, and then rent it back from those who stole it," Kidron said.

"It's Harry Potter, it's the entire back catalogue of every single music publisher in the UK. It's the voice of Hugh Grant, the design of an iconic handbag, the IP of our universities, great museums and library collections," she said.

Labour digital minister Maggie Jones said there was a "real risk" that too many "obligations" would lead to "AI innovators, including many home-grown British companies, thinking twice about whether they wish to develop and provide their services in the UK".

Starmer in January unveiled an "action plan" to make the UK "the world leader" in artificial intelligence and spark Britain's flagging economy, promising flexible regulations.

The bill will now be sent back to the House of Commons, the lower house of parliament, for further debate.

Related Links
Space Technology News - Applications and Research

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TECH SPACE
Saudis launch new AI firm ahead of Trump trip
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (AFP) May 12, 2025
Saudi Arabia said on Monday it was launching a new artificial intelligence company central to its strategy and investments, on the eve of a visit by US President Donald Trump. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) said in a statement its chairman, de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, launched HUMAIN to "operate and invest across the artificial intelligence (AI) value chain". The announcement comes on the eve of Trump's arrival on the first stop of a Gulf tour during which artificial intel ... read more

TECH SPACE
Near Space Labs expands AI era geospatial imagery with 20 million Series B funding

Warming temperatures accelerate spring leaf flush in Japan

How climate change turned Sao Paulo's drizzle into a storm

USSF declares WSF-M weather satellite operational with initial capability milestone

TECH SPACE
Digging Gets Smarter with Trimble's Siteworks Upgrade for Excavators

Rx Networks launches TruePoint FOCUS to deliver real-time centimeter precision

Carbon Robotics debuts autonomous tractor system with live remote control capability

Towards resilient navigation in the Baltics without satellites

TECH SPACE
European satellite launches to track global forest biomass from space

Moment famed tree chopped down played to UK court

Spruce forests show shared electrical response to solar eclipse

Tracking Global Forest Health from Orbit with ESA Biomass Mission

TECH SPACE
Biogas Production from Alfalfa Enhanced by Fruit Waste and Microbes

Bacteria breathe electricity unlocking bioenergy and clean tech potential

Difficult energy transition looms without major EU investment in biomass

Turning wood waste into ultra strong material

TECH SPACE
China's Renewable Energy Shift Faces Sustainability Challenges

Saharan dust clouds cast uncertainty on Europe's solar power growth

Saharan dust clouds pose growing risk to solar power stability across Europe

US solar tariffs could drive Asia transition boom

TECH SPACE
Norway's Equinor slams 'unlawful' halt to US wind farm

US halts Equinor's huge New York offshore wind project

Chinese energy giant Goldwind posts annual growth as overseas drive deepens

Clean energy giant Goldwind leads China's global sector push

TECH SPACE
Trump loosens coal mining restrictions as part of efforts aimed at 'unleashing American energy'

New coal capacity hit 20-year low in 2024: report

Finland closes last coal-fired power plant

Indonesia industrial coal power plans undercut emissions pledge: report

TECH SPACE
Traditional culture, fancy dress meet at Hong Kong's raucous bun festival

9 dead, dozens hurt after boats capsize in China: state media

Bad weather postpones return of Chinese astronauts to Earth

New York ex-cop jailed for hounding US residents for China

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.