The silence of renowned musicians aims to amplify concerns over proposed copyright law changes affecting the music industry.
Silent Outcry: Musicians Rally Against AI Copyright Changes
Silent Outcry: Musicians Rally Against AI Copyright Changes
1,000+ Artists Release "Wordless" Album to Challenge British Government Proposal
In an unconventional act of protest, over 1,000 musicians have banded together to release a lyric-less album titled "Is This What We Want?" in response to a proposed change in British copyright law concerning the use of creative works in artificial intelligence training. The album, featuring contributions from celebrated artists like Annie Lennox, Billy Ocean, Hans Zimmer, and Kate Bush, captures ambient sounds from empty studios, emphasizing the void that may ensue if the government's plan goes into effect.
The initiative, showcasing recordings of faint sounds such as footfalls and paper rustling, is designed to symbolize the potential detrimental impact of allowing A.I. companies to utilize copyright-protected material without fair compensation. "Doesn't that silence say it all?" Kate Bush remarked, highlighting her concern that the government's proposals could jeopardize the livelihoods of musicians nationwide.
Under the current proposals, artists would be required to take proactive measures to protect their works, opting out of A.I. trainings rather than being automatically protected. Ed Newton-Rex, the chief executive of Fairly Trained and organizer of the album, criticized this shift in responsibility, stating that it unwittingly places the burden of safeguarding intellectual property on the rights holders.
The debate comes at a crucial time, with the window for public comments on the government's consultation closing on the same day as the album's release. Musicians hope their symbolic gesture prompts a reconsideration of the legislation, emphasizing that their creative rights should be preserved in the rapidly changing landscape of technology.
The initiative, showcasing recordings of faint sounds such as footfalls and paper rustling, is designed to symbolize the potential detrimental impact of allowing A.I. companies to utilize copyright-protected material without fair compensation. "Doesn't that silence say it all?" Kate Bush remarked, highlighting her concern that the government's proposals could jeopardize the livelihoods of musicians nationwide.
Under the current proposals, artists would be required to take proactive measures to protect their works, opting out of A.I. trainings rather than being automatically protected. Ed Newton-Rex, the chief executive of Fairly Trained and organizer of the album, criticized this shift in responsibility, stating that it unwittingly places the burden of safeguarding intellectual property on the rights holders.
The debate comes at a crucial time, with the window for public comments on the government's consultation closing on the same day as the album's release. Musicians hope their symbolic gesture prompts a reconsideration of the legislation, emphasizing that their creative rights should be preserved in the rapidly changing landscape of technology.
