The global recording industry body says loosening Australia's AI copyright rules would be a mistake. The outcome could decide whether AI firms must pay creators.
The head of the world's recording industry body is warning Australia not to let AI companies use creative work without paying for it. Victoria Oakley, chief executive of the IFPI, told Guardian Australia that weakening copyright protections would be "ridiculous and dangerous" and a "disaster for creativity."
AI systems learn from huge amounts of music, writing and images. Copyright law decides whether the companies must get permission first. Some AI firms have asked Australia to change its law so they can train on Australian material. Some have rejected licensing under current law, saying it is too difficult.
Anthropic suggested an "opt-out" model. AI firms could copy content unless the owners object. In plain terms, work would be fair game unless its owner speaks up. Large AI companies say they need legal certainty on copyright before investing in Australia or training their models here.
Oakley says one weak country is enough to cause damage. "You just need one safe harbour, because then you can train on music from anywhere in the world," she said. She noted that AI companies made similar proposals in the US, UK and other nations, and that other countries rejected the demands. She said Australia should not be "the weakest link."
OpenAI told a parliamentary committee that Spotify mainly transmits unchanged copyrighted content, so it would be expected to license it. Oakley disagreed. She said labels have already signed dozens of licensing deals with smaller AI companies around the world. "It is perfectly possible to license," she said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised "the strongest possible protection." He said it would be "theft" if creatives were not paid for their work. Attorney General Michelle Rowland, through a spokesperson, said any future changes must deliver "meaningful control and fair compensation."
Labor is weighing copyright changes as part of a wider set of AI policies. Those cover datacentres, online safety, the workforce, energy and the economy. Local creatives have raised constitutional issues and threatened political backlash.
No decision has been announced. It is not yet known whether the government will change the law at all, or what form a change would take. Musicians, writers, artists and businesses that sell creative work are the people most affected.
Australia has not decided yet, but the outcome could decide whether AI firms must ask and pay before using creative work.
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