IFPI warns Australia against weakening AI copyright protections

IFPI said weakening Australian copyright protections to help AI companies would be “ridiculous and dangerous,” and warned that allowing them access to online content would be a “huge mistake.”[1] The organisation represents recording-industry bodies worldwide, and its members were concerned Australia might agree to demands rejected by other countries.[1] The warning was framed as a cultural issue as well as a copyright dispute: the speaker questioned why a culturally powerful democracy would accept AI companies’ promises while risking its culture and creativity.[1] IFPI was also among more than 10,500 initial signatories to a statement saying unlicensed use of creative works to train generative AI must not be permitted.[2]

The Albanese government is consulting on possible copyright updates and has said they would not include a text and data mining exception.[3] Its broader AI policy work also covers data centres, online safety, the workforce, energy and the economy.[1] The government said AI developers would be able to use Australian creators’ works for free and without permission to train AI systems.[3] It is convening CAIRG to discuss three priority areas, including whether to create a paid collective licensing framework for AI or retain voluntary licensing.[3] It is also exploring how to clarify copyright law for AI-generated material and considering a small-claims forum to reduce the cost of pursuing lower-value infringement cases.[3]

Both draft options would allow copyright owners to opt out of having online material used for AI training without a licence.[5] Under one option, AI companies could train on online material whose owners had not opted out if they paid a central body and met other conditions.[5] The alternative would require companies to make deals with a minimum number of companies for a minimum period before training on unprotected online material.[5] Proposed safeguards include penalties for ignoring opt-outs, Indigenous cultural and intellectual property protections, transparency and audits.[5] OpenAI confirmed it had participated in consultations on the proposals.[5]

The government has repeatedly said it has no plans to weaken copyright protections concerning AI.[3] The Productivity Commission’s interim report estimated AI could add $116 billion to the economy over a decade.[4] Holly Rankin, who performs as Jack River, called the decision “incredibly significant” and said artists still needed AI transparency standards so they could negotiate their own terms of use.[4] The dispute therefore concerns not only whether material can be used for training, but also what licensing route and safeguards should apply. The statement said the legal system would protect AI companies first and Australians second.[5]