A Productivity Commission proposal to exempt tech companies from copyright rules so they can train artificial intelligence (AI) models has been criticised by the music industry.
Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) CEO Annabelle Herd said the plan, suggested in the Harnessing Data and Digital Technology Interim Report, to create a new fair dealing exception in the Copyright Act for text and data mining was ill-considered and contrary to Australia’s best interests.
Ms Herd said granting technology companies unrestricted access to exploit generations of Australian artistic and cultural output would decimate the value of Australian creative industries and place creators at a disadvantage internationally.
“Australia’s existing copyright law is the foundation of the creative industries and the digital economy,” she said.
“It currently aligns with global standards and effectively drives innovation and mutually beneficial negotiation without compromising Australian rights and investment.”
Ms Herd said the existing legal framework already provided clarity, enabling licensing negotiations and balanced agreements that fairly rewarded creators and gave them control over exploitation of their works.
“Australian songs, stories, art, research and creative works are among our nation’s greatest treasures: they deserve respect, not exploitation.
“Instead of rushing to open the gates for AI companies to unrestricted and free access to the valuable intellectual property of artists and creators, the Productivity Commission should work to optimise existing licensing frameworks that can deliver promised AI productivity gains without gutting Australian copyright.”
