The UK government’s code of practice on copyright and AI

Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, completed a review with proposals on pro-innovation regulation for digital technologies. In a response published on 15 March 2023, the Government acknowledged the urgent need to regulate the relationship between intellectual property and generative AI. The government is now working with users and rights holders on a code of practice on copyright and AI. The code of practice aims to make licences for data mining more available. It will help to overcome barriers that AI firms and users currently face, and ensure there are protections for rights holders. This ensures that the UK copyright framework promotes and rewards investment in creativity. It also supports the ambition for the UK to be a world leader in research and AI innovation.
The Intellectual Property Office invited industry representatives from the technology, creative and research sectors to form a working group. These sectors will help to ensure a balanced and pragmatic code of practice. It will enable both the AI and creative sectors to grow in partnership.
Working group meetings commenced on 5 June 2023. The government expects parties to enter into the final code of practice on a voluntary basis. If the code of practice is not adopted or agreement is not reached, legislation could be considered.