Politics

UK Music urges government to prioritise licensing over AI copyright exceptions

Tuesday, 16 December 2025 2:53PM UTC

UK Music's chief executive Tom Kiehl calls for a shift towards robust licensing and transparency measures to protect creators' rights amid government consultations on AI copyright frameworks.

Tom Kiehl, chief executive of UK Music, has welcomed the findings set out in the UK Government’s Copyright and AI Statement of Progress, saying the consultation vindicates the position taken by the creative sector on how artificial intelligence should interact with copyright-protected works. According to the original report, only 3% of some 11,500 respondents backed the government’s preferred text and data mining (TDM) exception, while 95% supported licensing of training data through stronger or retained copyright protections , a result UK Music says requires the Government to abandon what it describes as an “anti-creator, anti-business” proposal. ^[1]

Kiehl called on ministers to shift from the TDM proposal to a licensing-centred approach and to establish a “robust regulatory framework for AI firms’ interaction with copyright protected works, requiring transparency, labelling and a requirement for AI companies to comply with UK copyright laws regardless of where models are trained, in return for UK market access.” The company’s statement framed those measures as necessary to back British music and the wider creative industries. ^[1]

The response builds on sustained warnings from UK Music that unfettered use of artists’ work for AI training risks serious harm to creators and the sector’s economic ecosystem. Earlier in 2025 Kiehl described plans that would permit tech firms to train models on music without consent as “catastrophic” for the creative industry, arguing such measures would enable exploitation of artists without compensation. Industry data and commentary cited by UK Music point to job and pipeline risks should protections not be put in place. ^[3]^[5]

Kiehl has repeatedly urged stronger safeguards in recent months. In January he pressed the Government to rethink proposals that offered limited transparency in exchange for a TDM exception, warning that copyright exceptions could undermine creators’ rights and the integrity of the music industry. Speaking to the House of Lords’ Communications and Digital Committee in November, he went further, warning that some activities by AI firms amounted to “pure theft” and citing examples of AI systems producing verbatim copies of lyrics from artists such as Gloria Gaynor and Louis Armstrong. ^[4]^[2]

The position echoes broader industry concerns that any exception permitting the use of copyrighted works without permission risks hollowing out the revenue streams and bargaining power of songwriters, performers and rights holders. According to the original report and UK Music’s commentary, a market-access model that conditions entry on compliance with UK copyright law, plus mandatory labelling and transparency, would aim to balance innovation with rights protection. ^[1]

UK Music’s recent public interventions reflect Kiehl’s longer track record on music-sector advocacy. Since joining the organisation in 2012 and becoming chief executive after serving as Director of Public Affairs and Deputy CEO, he has led campaigns on live music measures and on the sector’s response to generative AI, while pressing for greater diversity and protections for venues and creators. Industry representatives say that history underpins UK Music’s insistence on binding safeguards rather than voluntary or one-off commitments from AI firms. ^[6]^[7]

The company’s call places pressure on ministers as they prepare a fuller report and an economic impact assessment on copyright and AI. Government figures released alongside the Statement of Progress set out next steps, but UK Music’s stance makes clear that the creative sector expects any final policy to enshrine licensing, transparency and enforceable compliance for AI operators seeking access to the UK market. Whether the Government will revise its approach in light of the consultation results remains the key question for artists, rights holders and technology companies. ^[1]

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.ukmusic.org/news/uk-music-chief-welcomes-findings-from-governments-copyright-ai-statement-of-progress/ - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.ukmusic.org/news/this-is-pure-theft-uk-music-chiefs-ai-warning-to-house-of-lords-inquiry/ - In November 2025, UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl appeared before the House of Lords' Communications and Digital Committee, warning that certain activities by AI firms amounted to 'pure theft'. He highlighted concerns over AI systems trained on music without consent, citing instances where AI generated verbatim copies of lyrics from artists like Gloria Gaynor and Louis Armstrong. Kiehl emphasized the need for robust regulatory frameworks to protect creators and rights holders from unauthorized use of their work by AI technologies.
https://www.ukmusic.org/news/uk-music-chief-warns-of-catastrophic-impact-of-allowing-tech-firms-to-steal-music-creators-work/ - In February 2025, Tom Kiehl criticized government plans that would allow tech giants to use UK music creators' work without consent for AI training. He described the proposals as 'catastrophic' for the creative industry, arguing that they would enable AI firms to exploit music without compensation. Kiehl called for a robust regulatory framework requiring AI companies to comply with UK copyright laws, ensuring transparency and protecting creators' rights.
https://www.ukmusic.org/news/uk-music-chief-urges-government-to-rethink-ai-proposals/ - In January 2025, Tom Kiehl urged the government to reconsider its AI proposals, which offered transparency from AI companies in exchange for a text and data mining exception to copyright. He argued that such exceptions would undermine copyright protections and negatively impact the creative industries. Kiehl emphasized the need for safeguards to ensure that AI development does not come at the expense of creators' rights and the integrity of the music industry.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/uk-music-chief-calls-on-rishi-sunak-to-introduce-ai-protection-for-creatives-3542651 - In a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Tom Kiehl called for the introduction of AI protections for creatives. He emphasized that AI companies should obtain permission from creators and rights holders before using their work, highlighting the importance of consent in machine learning processes. Kiehl warned that failing to implement such protections could jeopardize thousands of UK jobs and threaten the talent pipeline essential to the music industry.
https://www.ukmusic.org/news/uk-music-appoints-tom-kiehl-as-new-chief-executive/ - In 2012, Tom Kiehl was appointed as Director of Public Affairs at UK Music, later becoming Deputy CEO in 2018. He played a pivotal role in campaigns such as the Live Music Act and the 'agent of change' principle to protect music venues. Kiehl also led efforts to address challenges posed by generative AI to the music industry and worked on initiatives to make the sector more diverse and inclusive.
https://www.ukmusic.org/news/uk-music-chief-outlines-industry-concerns-over-artificial-intelligence/ - In an interview with the Musicians' Union, Tom Kiehl outlined the music industry's concerns regarding AI, particularly the need for consent and transparency. He highlighted the development of large language models by AI companies that generate new music based on existing works without clear permission from creators. Kiehl acknowledged AI's potential benefits but stressed the importance of safeguards to ensure that AI growth does not undermine the rights and livelihoods of music creators.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative is current, dated 16 December 2025, and pertains to recent developments in UK copyright and AI policy. No evidence of recycled or outdated content was found. The report is based on a recent government statement, indicating high freshness. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. No earlier versions of this narrative were found. The article includes updated data and new material, justifying a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: The direct quotes from Tom Kiehl are unique to this report, with no earlier usage found online. This suggests the content is original or exclusive.

Source reliability

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative originates from UK Music, a reputable organisation representing the UK music industry. This enhances the credibility of the information presented.

Plausability check

Score: 10

Notes: The claims made align with known industry concerns regarding AI's impact on copyright. The language and tone are consistent with official communications from UK Music. No inconsistencies or suspicious elements were identified.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is current, original, and originates from a reputable source. The claims are plausible and consistent with known industry concerns. No issues were identified in the freshness, quotes, source reliability, or plausibility checks.

UK Music
Artificial intelligence
Copyright law