The JURI Committee of the European Parliament has adopted by a large majority a report on the relationship between copyright and generative artificial intelligence. Led in particular by MEP Axel Voss, who also played a key role in the previous EU copyright reform, the report marks an important shift in political awareness of how AI affects creative work. Despite a long and sometimes complex negotiation process, the message is clear: the rapid development of artificial intelligence has so far taken place with too little regard for the rights and interests of artists and creators. Today, many see their works, voices or images used by AI systems without permission, without payment and with no real way to object.
The report stresses that EU copyright rules must ensure effective protection for creators, including in international and cross-border contexts beyond the European Union. It also highlights several grey areas in how the current EU Copyright Directive applies to generative AI, concluding that the existing legal framework needs to be clarified and strengthened—especially when it comes to the use of protected content to train AI models.
The JURI Committee also underlines a core principle: any exception to copyright must remain strictly limited and can only apply to content that has been accessed lawfully. It calls for far greater transparency about the data used to train AI systems. According to the report, current measures fall well short, and stronger rules are needed to ensure AI developers meet their obligations.
The report further supports the creation of effective tools that allow rightsholders to enforce their rights, as well as the development of licensing systems – including collective licensing – to ensure fair and proportionate payment for the use of creative works.
Another sensitive issue addressed is the past use of protected content to train AI systems before the EU Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive entered into force – uses that were illegal at the time. The report suggests that some form of compensation should be considered.
Finally, it calls on the European Commission to take action to better protect people against the spread of unauthorised deepfakes – manipulated content using a person’s voice, image or digital identity without their consent.
The JURI Committee report, now available online in its consolidated version, will be put to a vote in plenary in early March. FIA strongly recommends its adoption and thanks the Members of the European Parliament who contributed to this work.
