Headlines

Is this product ‘human-made’? The race to establish an AI-free logo

Organisations worldwide are racing to develop a universally recognised label for “human-made” products and services as part of the growing backlash against AI use. Declarations like “Proudly Human”, “Human-made”, ‘”No A.I” and “AI-free” are appearing across films, marketing, books and websites. BBC News has counted at least eight different initiatives trying to come up with a label that could get the kind of global recognition that the “Fair Trade” logo has for ethically made products.

Source: Is this product ‘human-made’? The race to establish an AI-free logo

UK Government backtracks on AI and copyright after outcry from major artists

The UK government has backtracked on its position on copyright and AI, stating it must take time to “get this right”. Its original position – allowing AI companies to use copyrighted works to train their models with an opt-out option – received major backlash from the likes of Sir Elton John and Dua Lipa. “We have listened,” Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said on Wednesday, saying the government no longer favours that approach.

Source: UK Government backtracks on AI and copyright after outcry from major artists

As Oscars are awarded: How artificial intelligence is reshaping Hollywood

For companies competing with streaming platforms, this is a way to reduce costs and speed up the launch of new projects. Using AI is important for studios not only from a production perspective but also from a business standpoint. The market often sees such technologies as a signal that a company is improving efficiency, which can boost investor interest and support share prices.

Source: As Oscars are awarded: How artificial intelligence is reshaping Hollywood

Tidal Offers Direct-to-Fan Downloads with a 90/10 Split—In Direct Competition to Bandcamp

Music streaming platform Tidal now allows independent artists to sell digital downloads directly to fans, bypassing the traditional distribution route at a flat 10% fee—and coming directly for Bandcamp’s lunch. Most digital service providers (DSP) pay pennies per stream, but taking a direct-to-fans (D2F) sales approach offers a much more appealing option, especially for smaller or independent artists.

Source: Tidal Offers Direct-to-Fan Downloads with a 90/10 Split—In Direct Competition to Bandcamp

SAG-AFTRA Wraps a Month of Studio Talks With No Deal, Will Resume in June

The two sides have addressed an array of subjects, but the thorniest one — as was the case during the 2023 strike — may be artificial intelligence. SAG-AFTRA is looking to assert some control over the use of “synthetic performers” — digital avatars that bear no resemblance to a real-life actor. [R]eal-life actors gain little or nothing from their use, and also have scant leverage to stop studios from using their performances to train AI systems.

Source: SAG-AFTRA Wraps a Month of Studio Talks With No Deal, Will Resume in June

Quincy Jones estate sells catalog and ancillary rights to HarbourView

HarbourView said that the deal includes Jones’ recorded music and publishing assets, as well as other ancillary rights, including his participation in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. As part of the transaction, HarbourView notes that it will “work in close partnership with the Quincy Jones Estate on go-forward initiatives tied to Jones’ name, image, and likeness”. HarbourView said that “additional announcements and tributes will follow in the coming weeks 

Source: Quincy Jones estate sells catalog and ancillary rights to HarbourView

AI Registry to Protect Athlete Likenesses and Digital IP Launched

Callandor Group has unveiled what it describes as the first dedicated registry for sports intellectual property in the AI era: a platform designed to give athletes and sports organizations the tools to manage, protect and profit from their digital identities, which the company says are increasingly being absorbed into AI systems without compensation or consent.

Source: AI Registry to Protect Athlete Likenesses and Digital IP Launched

ByteDance suspends launch of video AI model after copyright disputes (Report)

Source: ByteDance suspends launch of video AI model after copyright disputes (Report)

TikTok’s Chinese parent, ByteDance, has put on hold the global launch of its latest video-generation model, Seedance ​2.0, after a series of copyright disputes with major Hollywood studios ‌and streaming platforms, The Information reported on Saturday, citing two people with direct knowledge of the situation. ByteDance said last month it would take steps to prevent ​the unauthorized use of intellectual property on its AI video generator ⁠Seedance 2.0, following threats of legal action from U.S. studios, including Disney

‘An Important Step’: European Parliament Adopts Report on Copyright and Generative AI

On Tuesday, March 10, Parliament passed its resolution on “Copyright and generative artificial intelligence – opportunities and challenges” with an overwhelming majority of 460 votes to 71, and with 88 abstentions. The report calls for the EU and its 27 member states to focus on the crucial issues of how AI and tech companies engage with copyright-protected works and explores a licensing system as a solution.

Source: ‘An Important Step’: European Parliament Adopts Report on Copyright and Generative AI

WGA to Seek Payment for AI Training on Scripts as Talks With Studios Set to Begin

John August, co-chair of the WGA Negotiating Committee, said Tuesday that the union will seek to affirm the principle that writers should be paid for derivative uses of their work, including AI training. In the last go-round, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers refused to accept any limitations on the use of scripts — which they own — to train AI models.

Source: WGA to Seek Payment for AI Training on Scripts as Talks With Studios Set to Begin

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