STM has joined a coalition of 63 international media and creative industry organizations in calling on the Australian government to maintain existing copyright protections as it develops policies related to artificial intelligence.
The coalition, which includes representatives from publishing, media, music, photography, and other creative sectors, submitted a joint letter expressing concerns over reported proposals that could weaken copyright safeguards in the context of AI development.
Coordinated by the News/Media Alliance, the letter urges Australian policymakers to reject amendments that would allow copyrighted content to be used for AI training without prior authorization or licensing from rights holders.
According to the coalition, requiring creators and publishers to opt out of AI training programs, rather than requiring permission before use, could undermine established copyright principles. The organizations contend that such an approach would reduce creators’ control over their intellectual property and weaken their ability to negotiate fair compensation for the use of their content.
The signatories represent thousands of copyright owners, publishers, and creative sector organizations worldwide. They argue that maintaining robust copyright protections is essential to safeguarding the value of creative works in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The letter also emphasizes the international implications of Australia’s policy decisions. Given the global nature of digital content distribution and AI development, the organizations believe that any weakening of copyright protections in Australia could influence policy discussions in other jurisdictions and potentially affect rights holders around the world.
The coalition warned that changes diminishing copyright safeguards could establish a precedent with broader consequences for creators, publishers, and other stakeholders across the global creative economy.
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