Concerns data mining exemption will impact artists

Plans to introduce a new text and data mining exception to copyright laws are “deeply concerning” the Design and Artist Copyright Society (DACS) has said.

Data and text mining, the process of extracting useful information and knowledge from data or images, is already exempt from copyright laws if it is done on a non-commercial basis. But an exception proposed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will extend to commercial activities.

DACS said the move would drastically weaken copyright protections for copyright holders in the UK. The society said that is it supportive of the aim to develop AI-technologies, but added that it is vital that "our copyright framework is upheld in doing so”.

DACS provided evidence to the UK Intellectual Property Office consultation on Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property in January this year, which the society said clearly demonstrated the value of copyright licensing to visual artists, as well as a willingness to collaborate on developing new business models that support AI and machine learning.

It said that licensing copyright-protected works is “a vital revenue source for visual artists at all stages of their careers”.

The new development, which would apply to both commercial and non-commercial uses, “would set a concerning precedent for how copyright policy is developed, undermining not only the UK’s ‘gold standard’ copyright framework but many viable and valuable existing business models”, it added.

The CEO of DACS, Gilane Tawadros, said the rationale behind this change was to support the development of AI-driven technologies, however the reality is that it will have far-reaching detrimental consequences to UK creative workers and visual artists.

“We hope that the Department and the Intellectual Property Office will listen to our concerns and evidence and look again at how the policy objectives can be better met without undermining creators’ rights.”