The Association of American Publishers (AAP) has submitted comments to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in response to a request for information regarding the Biden Administration’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan. The association’s response underscores the importance of strong copyright protections in shaping U.S. leadership in AI, while warning against policies that could weaken intellectual property rights and harm the publishing industry.
AAP’s submission calls for the Administration to prioritize copyright protections, encourage marketplace licensing, and reject broad fair use arguments that could unfairly benefit tech companies at the expense of content creators. Additionally, the organization is urging the White House to take a firm stance against the use of pirate websites for AI training and to work with Congress to establish greater transparency requirements for AI development.
AAP highlighted the critical role of copyright protections in fostering both AI innovation and creative industries. The association pointed out that the United States has an opportunity to advance AI responsibly while simultaneously reinforcing the importance of licensing in the publishing and technology sectors.
The publishing industry, AAP noted, is actively investing in and using AI tools, but remains concerned about the long-term implications of weakening copyright protections. U.S. publishers contribute nearly $30 billion annually to the economy and play a significant role in supporting the broader copyright industries, which collectively add over $2 trillion in annual value to the nation’s GDP.
AAP also emphasized that upholding U.S. intellectual property laws serves as a global signal for other nations to do the same. Weakening copyright protections abroad could damage American intellectual property exports and harm the creative industries that have positioned the U.S. as a global leader in innovation.
AAP argued that licensing is a cornerstone of the copyright economy and a crucial element in the AI ecosystem. It incentivizes creativity, supports continued investment in human-created works, and fosters a robust information economy. Furthermore, licensing benefits AI developers by facilitating access to high-quality training materials and enabling startups to compete based on innovation rather than sheer data collection capacity.
AAP strongly opposed Big Tech's proposals for sweeping copyright exceptions, including expansive interpretations of fair use and an opt-out regime for content creators. According to the association, such measures would dismantle well-established copyright laws, disrupt licensing markets, and ultimately undermine future intellectual property investments.
Another key concern raised by AAP is the unauthorized use of copyrighted content from pirate websites in AI training datasets. The organization urged the White House to take a firm stance against such illegal practices, warning that they pose a significant risk to the publishing industry and the broader U.S. intellectual property landscape.
AAP’s recommendations highlight the complex relationship between AI development and copyright protections. By advocating for stronger intellectual property laws and fair licensing practices, the association aims to ensure that the U.S. continues to lead in both AI innovation and content creation. As the White House finalizes its AI Action Plan, the publishing industry remains committed to working with policymakers to achieve a balanced approach that fosters innovation while protecting the rights of authors and publishers.
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