UK Designers Warn Over Proposed Copyright Law Changes Impacting AI
Leading British designers express concerns that proposed copyright reforms will negatively affect the design industry and intellectual property rights.
A proposed overhaul of copyright law in the United Kingdom is facing strong opposition from the design community, with 35 UK-based designers warning that the changes risk compromising the integrity of a sector known for its significant contributions to cultural and economic wealth.
The designers have raised their concerns in a letter addressed to the technology secretary, Peter Kyle, urging the government to reconsider its plans regarding artificial intelligence (AI) companies using copyrighted works without permission to train their models.
The initiative has sparked widespread criticism across various creative industries, including publishing, music, film, television, and performing arts.
Prominent figures from these sectors, such as Sir Paul McCartney, Richard Osman, and Kate Bush, have publicly opposed the reform.
Among the signatories of the letter are influential names in product and furniture design, including Sebastian Conran, Jasper Morrison, Tomoko Azumi, and Tom Dixon.
The designers argue that the proposed law could undermine a sector that has played a pivotal role in enhancing the UK's global reputation, attracting investment, and fostering international trade.
Sebastian Conran is noted as the chair of Conran and Partners, an architecture and interior design practice founded by his father, the late Sir Terence Conran.
Jasper Morrison has been recognized as a leading figure in product design.
Sir David Chipperfield, a recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Prize, is among the other notable signatories.
In their letter, the designers emphasize the historical importance of British design, referencing iconic creations such as the red telephone box, the London underground map, and the Mini Cooper, as well as the Apple iPhone, originally designed by Sir Jony Ive.
They underscore their role in shaping both residential and commercial environments on a global scale.
The designers express concern over the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's (DSIT) approach, asserting that it undermines the value of intellectual property rights that underpin their profession.
They draw parallels between their industry and the music sector, both of which rely heavily on a robust copyright system to protect creativity and innovation.
The proposed copyright reforms suggest allowing AI companies to access a wide range of creative works—including novels, journalism, and art—unless copyright holders explicitly opt out.
Critics of this opt-out mechanism label it as impractical and potentially exploitive.
Additionally, the reform includes requirements for AI developers to disclose the content that has been used to train their models.
Generative AI models, which include technologies such as the ChatGPT chatbot and image generators like Midjourney, depend on extensive datasets for training.
These datasets often consist of content sourced from publicly available material, ranging from Wikipedia entries to articles and online archives.
In response to the backlash, a government spokesperson asserted that the current copyright framework is limiting the potential of the creative and media sectors, as well as the AI industry.
They emphasized a commitment to ensuring transparency from AI developers regarding the training content and reaffirmed that no final decisions would be made without a practical and comprehensive plan addressing the interests of all parties involved.
The designers have raised their concerns in a letter addressed to the technology secretary, Peter Kyle, urging the government to reconsider its plans regarding artificial intelligence (AI) companies using copyrighted works without permission to train their models.
The initiative has sparked widespread criticism across various creative industries, including publishing, music, film, television, and performing arts.
Prominent figures from these sectors, such as Sir Paul McCartney, Richard Osman, and Kate Bush, have publicly opposed the reform.
Among the signatories of the letter are influential names in product and furniture design, including Sebastian Conran, Jasper Morrison, Tomoko Azumi, and Tom Dixon.
The designers argue that the proposed law could undermine a sector that has played a pivotal role in enhancing the UK's global reputation, attracting investment, and fostering international trade.
Sebastian Conran is noted as the chair of Conran and Partners, an architecture and interior design practice founded by his father, the late Sir Terence Conran.
Jasper Morrison has been recognized as a leading figure in product design.
Sir David Chipperfield, a recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Prize, is among the other notable signatories.
In their letter, the designers emphasize the historical importance of British design, referencing iconic creations such as the red telephone box, the London underground map, and the Mini Cooper, as well as the Apple iPhone, originally designed by Sir Jony Ive.
They underscore their role in shaping both residential and commercial environments on a global scale.
The designers express concern over the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's (DSIT) approach, asserting that it undermines the value of intellectual property rights that underpin their profession.
They draw parallels between their industry and the music sector, both of which rely heavily on a robust copyright system to protect creativity and innovation.
The proposed copyright reforms suggest allowing AI companies to access a wide range of creative works—including novels, journalism, and art—unless copyright holders explicitly opt out.
Critics of this opt-out mechanism label it as impractical and potentially exploitive.
Additionally, the reform includes requirements for AI developers to disclose the content that has been used to train their models.
Generative AI models, which include technologies such as the ChatGPT chatbot and image generators like Midjourney, depend on extensive datasets for training.
These datasets often consist of content sourced from publicly available material, ranging from Wikipedia entries to articles and online archives.
In response to the backlash, a government spokesperson asserted that the current copyright framework is limiting the potential of the creative and media sectors, as well as the AI industry.
They emphasized a commitment to ensuring transparency from AI developers regarding the training content and reaffirmed that no final decisions would be made without a practical and comprehensive plan addressing the interests of all parties involved.
