The Law Society has expressed cautious support for the UK government's recent proposals aimed at amending copyright law to facilitate access for developers of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This response comes after the Intellectual Property Office outlined a framework intended to clarify the legality of data mining from publicly accessible websites, an essential process for training AI models.
The government’s proposals advocate for the establishment of a 'data mining exception' that would enable developers to extract data without infringing copyright laws—provided that rights-holders are permitted to opt out of such usage. This initiative has been met with recognition by the Law Society, which acknowledges that the current ambiguity surrounding copyright regulations is stifling progress in AI development and hindering economic growth.
In its official response to the consultation, the Law Society articulated agreement with the government's viewpoint. The Society highlighted that while the 'opt-out' model is the most suitable of the three options proposed, it demands careful consideration regarding its implementation. For the Society, ensuring that AI developers disclose the sources of their training material is paramount for fostering transparency in the industry.
Ian Jeffery, chief executive of the Law Society and a former practitioner in intellectual property and technology law, underscored the necessity for a "specific and controlled process" governing the utilisation of publicly available data by AI. He emphasised the importance of creators maintaining control over their intellectual property, stating, "Copyright rules should be able to protect and benefit creators and AI developers." Additionally, he advocated for the regulation of large AI models while suggesting that similar standards should be made accessible for smaller innovators on a voluntary basis.
The UK government's approach is reminiscent of the legislative stance taken by the European Union. However, it diverges from the more lenient frameworks adopted in countries like Japan and the United States, where broader use of copyrighted materials for AI training is permitted. The US, for instance, operates under the 'fair use' doctrine that allows such activities as long as they meet certain criteria.
Jeffery further asserted the need for international collaboration in AI regulation, remarking, "AI knows no borders, so we urge the UK government to collaborate with other countries as the new system should be able to work on an international scale." As discussions continue, the future of copyright law concerning AI may have significant implications for both the technological landscape and the rights of content creators across various industries.
Source: Noah Wire Services