EVA welcomes the adoption of the JURI Report on Copyright and generative AI

EVA welcomes the adoption of the JURI Committee report “Copyright and generative artificial intelligence – opportunities and challenges” drafted by MEP Axel Voss, with a majority of 17 votes in favor, 3 against, and 2 abstentions.

For years now, and still today, Artificial Intelligence has been largely trained on protected works scraped from the internet without authors’ consent or adequate compensation. The report acknowledges the urgent need to strengthen the protection of their rights, in compliance with the Berne Convention and the three-step test. Moreover, it calls for greater transparency from AI model providers by introducing a rebuttable presumption of use of copyrighted works.

While the European Commission is taking steps towards a fairer environment for authors, including the work on the Code of Practice for the labelling of AI-generated content, voluntary measures are not enough. Artists need binding rules that allow them to regain control over their works and participate fairly in the value generated by AI.

Laetitia Nguala Masamba, EVA Secretary General, commented “This is excellent news for artists whose work has continued to be used without permission or compensation for years. We strongly hope the report will be adopted at the next Plenary session and lead to greater protection and transparency. Technological innovation should never come at the expense of visual artists.”

Download the press release here.