ASCAP is pushing for stricter AI copyright laws, warning that without protections, human creators could be left behind in the race for innovation.

The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) is calling for a ‘Humans First’ approach in the somewhat concerningly evolution of AI and copyright law. In response to the US administration’s call for feedback on its ‘AI Action Plan’, ASCAP has voiced concerns about the potential implications for human creators.

Tech companies are advocating for AI training on copyrighted material to be considered ‘fair use’. This stance has sparked protests from actors and musicians who fear it may undermine their rights. Some artists have already taken creative action against AI’s impact on music, such as the silent album, where a group of artists released a silent album in protest of the UK government’s planned changes to copyright law.

In its submission to the White House, ASCAP emphasised the economic significance of US copyrighted content, stating, “Given that creation of US copyrighted content adds annually billions of dollars to the US economy, a policy that fails to recognize the importance and strength of US copyright law will place our creative industry at an international disadvantage.”

ASCAP believes that the US can lead in AI innovation without compromising its robust copyright laws. They assert, “The US can win the AI race without abandoning the strong copyright laws that have fueled creativity and entrepreneurship across the country for decades.”

The organisation has outlined key principles to guide US policy in this area, focusing on consent, transparency, compensation, and credit. Central to their advocacy is the ‘Humans First’ approach, which prioritises the rights and contributions of human creators. ASCAP warns, “A vague appeal to ‘innovation’ cannot justify infringing the rights of existing human creators.” They further stress, “The copyright laws and other legal frameworks must ensure that human creativity is supported, rather than supplanted, by developing technologies, including generative AI.”

This debate is not limited to the US. Major labels have also rallied against the UK government’s AI copyright proposal, highlighting the global concerns over AI-generated content and its impact on copyright protections. As policymakers consider new regulations, the balance between technological progress and the rights of human creators remains a key issue in the ongoing discussion about AI and intellectual property.

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