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CoSTAR National Lab charts a path through AI and copyright challenges in the UK’s creative sector
A groundbreaking new report released today by CoSTAR National R&D Lab—of which Abertay University is a partner—alongside DECaDE and Sheridans aims to provide the creative industries and AI developers with a framework to navigate challenges related to content usage, rights, and remuneration in the age of generative artificial intelligence.
Led by industry and academic experts, including Abertay’s Dr Lynn Love, the report "Time to ACCCT: Providing Creative Industries and AI Developers with a Copyright Framework of Access, Control, Consent, Compensation, and Transparency" was developed in consultation with over 20 leading creative rights holders and AI developers.
This framework proposes a machine-readable, publicly accessible approach that allows copyright holders to specify whether they consent to or wish to protect their work from data and text mining. It also provides a legal pathway for AI companies to access data responsibly, balancing innovation with rights protection.
As generative AI continues to reshape the creative industries, this framework offers practical, technical and rights-respecting guidance towards developing a fair and ethical future system for the use of creative work.
The report comes amid growing legal and ethical concerns about the use of copyrighted materials in generative AI, with artists, authors, musicians, and other creators rallying against a proposed ‘opt out’ approach to text and data mining. At the same time, to encourage AI developers to base and grow their businesses in the UK, developers are seeking clearer, more consistent guidance and tools for lawful and responsible data usage. The ACCCT framework points to a route out of the current impasse that is not benefiting either side by looking at the technological, trust and legal framework that would be required to create shared interests and retain continuity with three centuries of copyright protection.
Whilst not offering a complete solution, the report maps out key components that are required to create a new balance between rights holders and AI aggregators, including tools, control mechanisms, attribution, standards and regulation. The report offers a clear road map to what technologies are available today, what might be available tomorrow and what lies further ahead.
Sir Peter Bazalgette, co-chair of the Creative Industries Council said:
This report provides tangible and achievable steps forward in making the UK creative industries not just fit for the age of GenAI, but a world-leader where AI Developers and creative rights holders want to base their business.
Benjamin Field, CEO, Deep Fusion Films said:
The report is a vital step towards ensuring that human creativity isn’t sidelined by AI, but strengthened through it. It’s grounded in the realities of the creative industries—economically, technically and artistically—and outlines a clear, practical pathway to a fairer ecosystem. I’m proud to have contributed to a framework that puts creators at the centre of the conversation and offers a vision where innovation and authorship can thrive together.
