UK Government Report: Unleash AI by Reining In IP

EXTRA One of the questions hanging over calls to require generative AI developers to obtain licenses for copyrighted works used in training their models, such as we saw last week from the Human Artistry Campaign coalition of rights owners, is whether legal foundation for that demand exists in current copyright law, or would require new action by legislatures to create that foundation. It’s a political question as much as a legal one. And while its legal colorings may favor the pro-licensing position, the political ones may not. Just how much they may not can be glimpsed in a new U.K. government report issued this month that illustrates how difficult it could be to persuade policymakers to provide any such new statutory authority.

WGA Would Allow AI in Scriptwriting, as Long as Writers Maintain Credit

The Writers Guild of America has proposed allowing ChatGPT to help write scripts, provided writers don’t lose out on credit or residuals. The guild had previously indicated that it would propose regulating the use of AI in the writing process, which has recently surfaced as a concern for writers who fear losing out on jobs. But contrary to some expectations, the guild is not proposing an outright ban on the use of AI technology.

Source: WGA Would Allow Artificial Intelligence in Scriptwriting, as Long as Writers Maintain Credit

NFT Gaming Company Integrates ChatGPT and Midjourney for Immersive Experiences

Incorporating ChatGPT and Midjourney will enhance the game development process and content, allowing for more sophisticated storytelling, dialogue, and immersive gameplay. The NFT Gaming Company is also developing a digital gaming platform and community that will offer users the ability to mint unique avatars playable in all of the games on the platform in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Source: NFT Gaming Company Integrates ChatGPT and Midjourney AI for Immersive Gaming Experiences

Biden’s TikTok Dilemma: Go After China or Pursue Social Media Antitrust Claims

By banning the platform, the government risks prioritizing alleged national security interests at the expense of its antitrust agenda. Meta and Google, fighting lawsuits from competition enforcers seeking to break up the companies, stand to gain the most if TikTok is banned. Users likely would flock to the only viable alternatives in Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

Source: Biden’s TikTok Dilemma: Go After China or Pursue Social Media Antitrust Claims

Apple and Amazon Plan to Spend Billions on Movies for the Big Screen

For Apple and Amazon, the move is not exactly a benevolent bid to help out beleaguered movie theaters; it’s a way to promote their respective streaming services. Ideally, the more attention that a movie gets on the big screen, the more people will want to see what else is available online — and sign up for (or keep paying) monthly subscriptions to AppleTV+ or Prime Video.

Source: Apple and Amazon Plan to Spend Billions on Movies for the Big Screen. Will the Pricey Gamble Pay Off?

Hollywood, music industry brace for a TikTok ban

Since the last time the U.S. government considered banning TikTok in 2020, the app has evolved from a social platform supporting content creators to an entertainment powerhouse. A ban now would threaten not the livelihoods of TikTok’s biggest stars and thousands of small businesses, it could deal a massive blow to the entertainment industry, forcing movie studios, record labels, casting directors, Hollywood agents, and actors to radically shift the way they do business.

Source: Hollywood, music industry brace for a TikTok ban

How AI is Creating Explosive Demand for Training Data

At the heart of AI lies machine learning, where models learn to recognize patterns and make predictions based on the data they are fed. As AI models continue to grow in size, the demand for training data has increased exponentially. This growth has led to a surge in interest in data collection, annotation, and management. Companies that can provide AI developers with access to vast, high-quality datasets will play a vital role in shaping the future of AI.

Source: How AI is Creating Explosive Demand for Training Data

How Will Artificial Intelligence Affect Hollywood?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the world as we know it, and the film industry is no exception. From writing and directing to producing and marketing, AI is being used in various ways to make Hollywood more efficient and effective. However, with these advancements come potential risks and challenges, such as the loss of creative control and the homogenization of output. It’s kind of scary to think your job may not be safe because they’re going to bring in a computer to do it.

Source: How Will Artificial Intelligence Affect Hollywood?

Just What Makes An Audiobook “Original”?

Most audiobooks are narrated renditions of already-published print or ebooks, but the category’s success has led to increased experimentation, with “audiobook originals” or “audio first” productions gaining traction — and fans. But defining what makes an audiobook an “original” is not easy. Audible co-opted the term early on to describe any title that was its “exclusive,” regardless of whether it had a print life as well.

Source: Just What Makes An Audiobook “Original”?

New York State Mulls 8% ‘Netflix Tax’

New York State lawmakers are considering taxing streaming services as one way to help fund subways and other transportation systems around the state without raising fares. A proposal within the state assembly’s $233-billion proposed budget for the coming year would levy a 4% state tax and a 4% local sales tax on digital streaming products to help cover $9 billion in transportation and infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.

Source: Digital News Daily: New York State Mulls 8% ‘Netflix Tax’

Cutting Edge acquires ‘major’ film music catalog from First Score Music in multi-million dollar deal

The transaction includes master and publishing rights to a collection of film scores including the score for director Taika Waititi’s upcoming sports comedy-drama film Next Goal Wins starring Michael Fassbender, and the score for the upcoming animated version of George Orwell’s Animal Farm from Andy Serkis. Next Goal Wins includes a score by Academy Award and Emmy-winner Michael Giacchino, who composed themes for Up, The Incredibles, The Batman and Lost.

Source: Cutting Edge acquires ‘major’ film music catalog from First Score Music in multi-million dollar deal

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