Aussie Creators Fight Big Tech on AI Copyright

0:00Hey, it's Cory with Sydney News Today, your city, your news, every day. Australian creators are pushing back against big-text efforts to loosen copyright rules for training artificial intelligence models. They want the federal government to stay firm after a rejected a text and data mining exemption last October. This would have led AI companies use music, writing, films, and art without permission or payment. Public industry leaders point out that licensing deals already exist for tech firms to access creative works legally. They argue big-text and negotiate fairly instead of treating content as free data. Independent publishers like Mushroom Music represent major Australian artists and stress the need for ongoing protections. Tech executives warn that strict copyright laws could scare off AI investment in Australia. Researchers from companies like Atlassian and OpenAI claim current rules already block model training, herding innovation. Creators counter that licensed use has word for decades in music, film, and publishing.

1:03Copyright experts dismissed the idea of choosing between artist rights and AI growth. They say the government's clear stance brought stability, but recent lobbying is creating uncertainty. No special rules are needed. Just fair participation in the existing system. The attorney general has reaffirmed no plans to weaken protections and expects tech to support local artists. A reference group is now consulting on options like collective licensing and cheaper enforcement for small claims. Officials urge both sides to find balanced solutions for the AI era. This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, See the episode description. No earbuds, no headbands, no awkward sleeping positions, just a pillow that plays your sound, O-L-I-SOLYPILLOW.com.