Copyright, creator rights and AI

The rules of our industry should reward creativity.

Under UK law, the principal director of a television film or programme is a joint author and copyright holder of the work, alongside the production company. This recognises the director not as a contributor on the margins, but as a creative force at the centre of the work. Copyright royalties are essential. They allow directors to make a living and keep creating during gaps in work. Fair remuneration for copyright use isn’t optional. It’s what fuels the creation of new work.

What we want

• Protect copyright and IP – to uphold and enforce the UK’s gold standard copyright regime and protect IP.
• Ensure directors are fairly compensated - as digital viewing increases, directors must be fairly remunerated across all platforms for the ongoing use of their work.
• AI policy must uphold copyright, transparency and fair payment - the Government must ensure that the growth of AI is not at the expense of creators. In developing the UK’s AI policy, upholding copyright law, ensuring transparency and fair payment are essential.
• Individual creators must not be overlooked in AI licensing - the benefits of licensing for AI may not reach individual creators, such as directors, who have to assign their rights to producers. The introduction of an unwaivable right to equitable remuneration for individual human creators, payable by AI developers, collectively management by CMOs would ensure that creators are compensated.
• Introduce the Smart Fund – We’re part of a group of organisations, championing the Smart Fund to compensate creatives for the private copying of their content on digital devices. A small charge on the sale of mobile phones and laptops in the UK could generate around £260 million a year for creators, at no cost to the Government or taxpayers, bringing the UK in line with 45 other countries. 

What we’re doing

• Member of the British Copyright Council (BCC) advocating to government on behalf of UK Copyright holders on intellectual property matters.
• Member of the Creators Rights in AI Coalition (CRAIC), campaigning on the principles of copyright, transparency and fair compensation for AI use.
• Member of the Creators Rights Alliance (CRA) advocating for individual creators’ rights
• Responding to Government inquiries and consultations on the issue of AI and copyright, and other IP related inquiries.
• Engaging with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and DCMS to advocate for a directors’ equitable remuneration right for AI use
• Relationships with the CISAC and the SAA advocating for creators’ rights internationally.