New report authored under the Accelerator Fellowship Programme at the Institute for Ethics in AI, University of Oxford, calls for copyright to be strengthened, transparency for AI companies, and a competitive licensing market to protect creators and unlock UK leadership in trusted AI.
The UK has the opportunity to become a global leader in licensing copyright material for artificial intelligence (AI), but the Government must act now to establish clear rules, according to the new report The Oxford Consultation on Copyright and AI.
Over forty organisations and individuals from across the creative industries, technology sector, law, policy and academia contributed to the research, and the report shows a clear consensus that the UK could lead the way internationally in establishing an ethical and fair copyright market for AI.
Last year, the government faced resistance from the creative industries and parliament, after it launched a consultation in which it indicated a ‘preferred option’ which would have required copyright holders to ‘opt-out’ of their work being available to be used by AI developers. The Data (Use and Access) Bill resulted in five rounds of ‘ping pong’ between the House of Lords and Commons, one of the longest bills this century, and ended with the government abandoning its preferred option.
However, creators, publishers and other rights holders continue to express concerns about copyrighted work being used to train AI models without their consent.
The report issues clear recommendations for government to resolve the dispute by providing AI developers lawful access to high-quality material while allowing creators to control and be paid for the use of their work. It argues that stronger copyright protections should not be seen as a barrier to AI innovation. Instead, clear rules could create a valuable licensing market.
It sets out three pillars for reform: ownership and consent; transparency, traceability and disclosure; and fair licensing and market mechanisms.
The UK's strong creative industries, combined with its strengths in technology, law and regulation, give it a natural advantage in the emerging global market for high-quality data used to train AI models. The report also argues that the benefits could extend to other IP-intensive sectors, including financial services, pharmaceuticals, defence and advanced manufacturing.
With international competition accelerating, the Oxford Consultation concludes that the UK Government must move quickly to turn its existing strengths into a competitive advantage.
Baroness Beeban Kidron, Interim Chair of the Institute for Ethics in AI's Advisory Council who wrote the preface to the report, said: 'It is a critical time for all sectors of the creative industries to coalesce around the three pillars set out in the paper. We may have additional specific requirements in each sector but if we do not have a loud and clear voice, then the status quo in which payment and control of our work is taken from us will remain. It is key to the success of the country, our economy and our cultural life. Making copyright fit for the age of AI is critical for the next generation so that they can provide the soundtrack and stories of the future.'
This report forms part of the Institute’s and its Accelerator Fellowship Programme’s ongoing work to support the ethical development of AI through cross-sectoral research and engagement. Read more about the Oxford Consultation's work on copyright and AI.
Dr Caroline Emmer de Albuquerque Green, Director of Research at the Institute for Ethics in AI, and Director of the Accelerator Fellowship Programme, said: 'This report highlights how effective AI governance can work hand in hand with innovation to ensure that AI benefits everyone. Bridging academic research and real-world impact is at the heart of our Fellowship programme, and we are pleased to publish this report as part of our work on AI, Creativity and the Creative Industries.'
Quotes from contributors
Sam Radclyffe, CEO, Strand: 'Rights holders and AI developers want the same thing: to know where they stand. This paper sets out a clear framework for that. Nothing gets used without permission, and a person’s name, image and likeness are protected in law. The Government should move quickly to put it into practice.'
Zahra Shah, Chair and Founding Member: ‘The Oxford Consultation on Copyright and AI demonstrates that consensus is within reach and that the UK need not choose between AI leadership and a thriving creative economy. By putting ownership, consent, transparency and fair licensing at the heart of our approach, we can give creators control and fair reward while providing AI developers with the legal certainty and high-quality data required to build trustworthy systems. If we act now, the UK can help shape the global standard for responsible AI and become a trusted home for fair, transparent data licensing. This is not simply a copyright question; it is an economic and moral opportunity to keep human creativity at the centre of the AI age.’
Tim Carter, IP, Strategy and Global Partnerships Specialist: 'The UK is a leader in global standards and the rule of law. The world needs reliable legal and commercial rules that protect, grow, and distribute the value of data used in creating and optimising AI systems. The UK is uniquely placed to develop and operate those rules.'
Guy Gadney, Founder and CEO of Charismatic.ai: 'This is a defining moment for creators. Since 2019, Charismatic.ai has argued that AI and copyright don't have to be at war, and that the future of creative sectors depends on proper payment directly to creators in this AI age. This report shows there's a clear route forward, built on consent, transparency and a new licensing market. If government acts now, the UK can lead the world in making AI a new revenue infrastructure for creators, rather than a broken media ecosystem.'
Notes for Editors
The Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford conducts world-leading, interdisciplinary research across philosophy, law, the social sciences and computer science, addressing critical questions in AI ethics, safety and governance. Working closely with government, business and the third sector, the Institute seeks to ensure its research has real-world impact.
Dr Lily Rodel and Dr Simeon Goldstraw coordinated interviews and responses from the report’s contributors.
Baroness Beeban Kidron, Dr Green, Dr Lily Rodel, Dr Simeon Goldstraw and contributors to the report are available for interviews. For more information, please contact: aiethicscomms@philosophy.ox.ac.uk
The report will be launched during the Creators Emergency Summit on Tuesday 13 October at Conway Hall, London, 9:00am-4.30pm.
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