Merlin Opposes UK Government’s Proposed Copyright & AI Reforms, Calls for Stronger Protections for Independent Music
Merlin, the independent’s digital music licensing partner, has added its weight to industry-wide opposition to the UK Government’s proposed changes to copyright laws for artificial intelligence (AI) training. These changes, which would allow AI developers to use copyrighted works—including music—without permission or compensation, would be devastating for independent music creators and the broader creative industries. Instead of requiring AI companies to seek consent, the Government’s proposal reverses the current protections for rightsholders. This proposal was made without an assessment of its economic impact. It completely undermines the foundation of the creative economy, which exists to ensure that creators are protected and fairly compensated for their work.
Under the new system, AI developers—including some of the world’s biggest tech companies—would have free access to creative works, forcing rightsholders to actively “opt out” to protect their content. This proposal would strip away safeguards that currently protect copyrighted works from commercial exploitation without consent. This approach unfairly shifts responsibility away from AI companies and onto independent artists and labels, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. Merlin was created to protect independent rightsholders from exactly this kind of exploitation.
“The Government’s proposal would enable AI developers—many of them massive global corporations—to extract value from independent artists without permission or compensation,” said Jeremy Sirota, CEO of Merlin. “Independent music is not raw material for tech companies to exploit without consent. AI should be additive, not a tool for devaluing human artistry. These changes must be immediately reconsidered before irreparable damage is done.”
Merlin anticipates that the loss to its members — independent record labels, distributors, label services companies, and other rightsholders from 70+ countries — from AI-generated music could, at a minimum, exceed $200 million annually. This is value that would be diverted from independent artists directly to AI companies. Merlin also highlights the risks of unregulated AI voice cloning and digital replicas, calling for stronger protections for artists’ personalities and likenesses.
“We are entering a moment of reckoning for the creative industries,” said Charlie Lexton, COO of Merlin. “If AI-generated content is allowed to compete on an uneven playing field—without regulation, transparency, or proper licensing—independent artists will suffer the most. The UK has always been a global leader in music and culture, and it must lead in protecting the rights of those who create.”
Rather than dismantling existing protections, Merlin urges the UK Government to require AI companies to seek explicit permission before using copyrighted works, and to disclose the sources of their training data allowing rightsholders to fully protect their rights.
“We support value and innovation, but it must be ethical and fair,” said Neil Miller, General Counsel of Merlin. “Merlin and its members are ready and willing to license their music to responsible AI companies that respect copyright and compensate artists properly. Licensing isn’t a barrier—it’s the path forward to ensuring AI development benefits everyone, including the artists who fuel creativity. Merlin has a proud history of licensing new technologies and AI should be no different.”
Merlin welcomes recent reports that the Government may revise its approach and calls upon it to ensure that whatever measures it might introduce uphold copyright protections, respect human artistry, and foster ethical AI innovation.
