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Culture reporter Paul Glynn reported that over 1,000 musicians, such as Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn, and Kate Bush, joined forces to release a silent album as a form of protest against the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright law. The musicians believe that these changes would make it easier for AI companies to use copyrighted work without obtaining a license, potentially impacting livelihoods and the UK music industry. The album, titled Is This What We Want?, aims to raise awareness of the potential consequences of the legal amendments and all profits will be donated to the charity Help Musicians.
Kate Bush expressed her concern in a statement, questioning whether in the music of the future, our voices will go unheard. The album, supported by artists like Billy Ocean, Ed O’Brien, and Dan Smith, features recordings of empty studios and performance spaces to showcase the possible implications of the law change. The track listing of the record bluntly conveys the message: “The British government must not legalize music theft to benefit AI companies.” The proposed amendments would grant artists the option to opt-out, but critics argue that it would be challenging for individual creators to monitor and control the use of their work across the vast expanse of the internet.
According to a spokesman for the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, the current copyright and AI regime in the UK is hindering the full potential of the creative industries, media, and AI sector. The government is consulting on new approaches to balancing the interests of AI developers and rights holders while ensuring a thriving environment for both. However, no final decisions will be made until a practical plan that satisfies all objectives is in place. Critics of the plan fear that the proposed changes could be disastrous for musicians and ultimately undermine the UK’s world-leading creative industries.
Icons in the music industry, including Imogen Heap, Yusuf aka Cat Stevens, and Riz Ahmed, have thrown their support behind the silent album release. They believe that the planned amendments not only impact musicians but also impoverish creators in various fields from writers to visual artists. Campaigns like Make it Fair have been launched to oppose the changes and raise public awareness on how valuable content from creative sectors may end up being provided for free to AI companies. Musicians are resolute in their rejection of the government’s proposed amendments, stating that their work cannot be stolen for the profit of big tech, as it would jeopardize the future of emerging artists in the UK
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