UK's AI Copyright Plan Receives Major Public Backlash: Only 3% Support

The UK government encountered an unexpected result in its public consultation on artificial intelligence and copyright. The consultation, launched in early 2025 with approximately 10,000 participants, saw the government's preferred policy option receive only 3% support, facing a major rejection.

88% Consensus Against the Government's Plan

The consultation was conducted on four different options regarding the rules to be applied to the training of AI models with copyrighted content such as books, music, and artworks. The model labeled 'Option 3' and preferred by the government granted AI developers the right to use copyrighted works by default, provided they disclosed what they used and gave rights holders an 'opt-out' right.

However, the overwhelming majority of participants opposed this approach. A large majority of 88% supported a stricter model that would require AI companies to obtain clear and explicit permission (a license) from the rights holder before using any work as training data. The government's preferred 'opt-out' model received even less support than the 'do nothing' option.

Strong Reaction from the Creative Sector

This result is interpreted as a victory for the campaign that writers' unions, music industry groups, visual artists, and game developers have been waging for months. Creators argued that including works in AI training datasets without permission causes irreparable harm and that the core issue is consent, even if an 'opt-out' right is granted later. This issue is part of the debates on AI ethics and control over content, such as the EU's investigation of platform X over deepfakes.

Experts point out that the UK's automatically generated copyright system, which lacks a central registry, creates challenges for implementation and enforcement in the AI age. While the government's 'opt-out' mechanism provides developers with flexibility, it imposes a continuous burden of monitoring and objection on creators.

Uncertainty Continues, Decision Time Approaches

The government's final report and economic impact assessment are expected to be published in March. The report is stated to evaluate the legal, commercial, and cultural impacts of each option. Officials state they will consider the views of all stakeholders, from creators to technology firms.

This uncertain environment creates challenges for both AI developers and content producers. Developers are unsure what is legal, while creators do not know how their works will be protected. The issue concerns not only copyright but also broader ethical debates such as data privacy and platform responsibilities. Similar concerns have been raised in different contexts, such as Google and Apple's application policies and lawsuits against tech giants over social media addiction.

The decision the UK will make is of a nature that will shape the country's digital economy and creative sectors for years to come. The government faces the risk of alienating creators by adopting the view of the 3% minority. On the other hand, stricter licensing rules will face resistance from AI startups and international technology firms. Regardless of the outcome, the debates are not expected to end.