In response to significant backlash from writers, arts, and media organizations, the Albanon government has definitively stated that tech companies will not be allowed to freely access creative content for training artificial intelligence models.
Attorney General Michel Rolland is expected to announce this decision on Monday, effectively rejecting a contentious proposal from the Ministry of Justice. productivity committee, which had support from technology companies.
“Australian creatives are not just top-tier; they are essential to the fabric of Australian culture, and we need to ensure they have robust legal protections,” said Mr. Rowland.
The commission faced outrage in August when its interim report on data usage in the digital economy suggested exemptions from copyright law, effectively granting tech companies free access to content for AI training.
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Recently, Scott Farquhar, co-founder of Atlassian and chairman of the Australian Technology Council, told the National Press Club that revising existing restrictions could “unlock billions in foreign investment for Australia”.
The proposal triggered a strong backlash from creators, including Indigenous rapper Adam Briggs, who testified in September that allowing companies to utilize local content without fair remuneration would make it “hard to put the genie back in the bottle.”
Australian author Anna Funder argued that large-scale AI systems rely on “massive unauthorized appropriation of every available book, artwork, and performance that can be digitized.”
The same inquiry uncovered that the Productivity Commission did not engage with the creative community or assess the potential effects of its recommendations before releasing its report. This led Green Party senator Sarah Hanson-Young to state that the agency had “miscalculated the importance of the creative industries.”
The Australian Council of Trade Unions also cautioned against the proposal, asserting it would lead to “widespread theft” of creative works.
Higher government ministers were disrespectful, although a so-called “text and data mining” exemption may still be considered, Rowland’s statement marks the first time it has been specifically ruled out.
“While artificial intelligence offers vast opportunities for Australia and its economy, it’s crucial that Australian creators also reap the benefits,” she asserted.
The Attorney General plans to gather the government’s Copyright and AI Reference Group on Monday and Tuesday to explore alternative measures to address the challenges posed by advancing technology.
This includes discussions on whether a new paid licensing framework under copyright law should replace the current voluntary system.
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), one of the organizations advocating against the exemption, praised the announcement as “a substantial step forward.”
“This represents a win for creativity and Australian culture, including Indigenous culture, but more importantly, it’s a victory for common sense. The current copyright licensing system is effective,” stated ARIA CEO Annabel Hurd.
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“Intellectual property law is fundamental to the creative economy, digital economy, and tech industry. It is the foundation that technology companies rely on to protect and monetize their products, driving innovation.”
Hurd emphasized that further measures are necessary to safeguard artists, including ensuring AI adheres to licensing rules.
“Artists have the right to determine how their work is utilized and to share in the value that it generates,” she stated.
“Safeguarding those frameworks is how we secure Australia’s creative sovereignty and maintain our cultural vitality.”
Media companies also expressed their support for the decision.
A spokesperson for Guardian Australia stated that this represents “a significant step towards affirming that Australia’s copyrighted content warrants protection and compensation.”
“Australian media, publishers, and creators all voiced strong opposition to the TDM (text and data mining) exception, asserting it would permit large-scale theft of the work of Australian journalists and creators, undermining Australia’s national interests,” the spokesperson added.
They also indicated that the Guardian seeks to establish a fair licensing system that supports genuine value exchange.
News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller remarked that the government made the “correct decision” to exclude the exemption.
“By protecting creators’ rights to control access, usage terms, and remuneration, we reinforce the efficacy of our nation’s copyright laws, ensuring favorable market outcomes,” he affirmed.
Source: www.theguardian.com
