Global music body warns Australia over weaker AI copyright plans
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry says Australia should not loosen protections for creators under pressure from AI companies.
Key points
- IFPI says Australia weakening copyright for AI firms would be dangerous and ridiculous
- The government is weighing copyright changes within a wider AI policy package
- AI companies say they need legal certainty before investing in Australia
- IFPI says music labels already license music to AI firms elsewhere
The global peak body for the recording industry has warned that Australia would make a serious mistake by loosening copyright protections for artificial intelligence companies. According to The Guardian, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, known as IFPI, says the move would be risky and unwise for creative work worldwide.
The federation said its members were watching closely how the Labor government responds to pressure from large technology firms. Local creative groups have already raised constitutional questions and threatened political backlash. IFPI said it was concerned that Australia might agree to requests that other countries had already turned down.
What the government is considering
The government is weighing changes to copyright as part of a wider set of AI policies. Those policies also cover datacentres, online safety, the workforce, energy and the economy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised the strongest possible protection for creators. He has also said that using creative work without payment would amount to theft.
Creative industries became alarmed after AI firms asked for weaker copyright rules so they could train their models on Australian material. Some companies have said that licensing under existing law is too difficult. Anthropic has proposed an opt-out system, under which content could be collected unless rights holders object. Large AI companies argue they need legal certainty before they invest in Australia or train their models there.
Industry response
IFPI chief executive Victoria Oakley said similar proposals had been put to governments in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries. She said Australia should not accept such a deal. In her view, investment and growth do not depend on giving in to the demands of AI firms.
Oakley said she feared that any loosening in Australia could spread elsewhere, affecting copyright material from anywhere in the world. She declined to speculate on legal or constitutional challenges, which the Australian Recording Industry Association had raised. She did say that such a step could damage Australia’s reputation in the creative sector.
Speaking through a representative, Attorney General Michelle Rowland said last week that Labor was dedicated to backing creators. The representative added that future copyright reform should give creators real control and a fair payment. The government has not confirmed what form any change would take.
The licensing debate
The dispute also centres on whether AI firms can license music at all. In answers to a parliamentary committee, OpenAI said Spotify runs a different kind of business, one that mainly streams unchanged copyrighted content, and so would be expected to license what it plays. The question came from independent senator David Pocock, who asked why OpenAI could not reach similar deals.
Oakley rejected that argument. She said music labels had already signed dozens of licensing agreements with smaller AI companies around the world. She pointed to existing licensing in the streaming sector, including services such as Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple and Tidal, and said rights holders were willing to negotiate.
The outcome in Australia may influence how other governments handle the same questions. For now, the government has not announced a final decision on copyright changes, and the debate remains open.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the music industry concerned about Australiau0026#039;s AI copyright plans?
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry says weaker copyright rules for AI companies would be dangerous for creators. It also warns that Australia could set a precedent that spreads to other countries.
What are AI companies asking for in Australia?
According to the report, some AI companies want a weaker copyright law so they can train on Australian material. Anthropic has suggested an opt-out model that would let it collect content unless rights holders objected.
What has the Australian government said?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised the strongest possible protection for creators. Attorney General Michelle Rowland, speaking through a representative, said Labor backs creators and that later copyright reform should give them real control and a fair payment.
Sources
- The Guardian: Weakening AI copyright law will spell ‘disaster for creativity’, global music body warns Albanese
This article was written with the help of AI from reports by the outlets listed above. See our Editorial Policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
