Bectu welcomes Government decision to drop AI copyright “opt-out” plans

Bectu welcomes today’s announcement that the Government will not proceed with plans for an “opt-out” copyright model for AI training.

The decision reflects concerns consistently raised by Bectu and sector partners across the creative industries. In its consultation response, the union warned that any system placing the burden on individual creators to opt-out of having their work used to train AI models would be unworkable and unfair, and risk transferring value away from the UK’s creative workforce.

Bectu argued that such an approach would disproportionately affect freelancers, early career workers and those without the legal or financial resources to monitor and challenge the misuse of their work.

Bectu believes any future approach must include clear consent mechanisms, proper attribution, and fair remuneration for creative workers, in line with the principles set out in its consultation submission.

Bectu also reaffirms its commitment to work with ministers, industry bodies and other unions to develop a model that safeguards jobs, protects the UK’s world-leading creative talent and ensures AI develops in a way that enhances rather than undermines human creativity.

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“Today’s announcement that the Government will not proceed with plans for a copyright exception on text and data mining for AI training is welcome news for the UK’s creative industries.

“Bectu has been clear that any model which places the burden on individual creators to ‘opt-out’ of the use of copyrighted work for AI training is unworkable, unfair and disproportionately harms freelancers.”

“We look forward to building on this announcement and engaging closely with the Government on a renewed approach that puts creative workers first, ensuring they have meaningful control over how their work and data are used.”