Paul McCartney: Don’t let the artists be RIP

Sir Paul McCartney has revealed that the BBC’s proposed changes to copyright law could allow “rip-off” techniques that could make it impossible for musicians and artists to make a living.

The government is considering an overhaul of the law that would allow AI developers to use creators’ content on the internet to help develop their models, as long as rights holders opt out.

In a rare interview with Laura Kunsberg for Sunday, Sir Paul said “When we were kids in Liverpool, we got a job we loved, but it also paid the bills”, warning that the offer was unfair to writers and Can remove incentives for artists and results in “loss of creativity”.

The government said it aims to provide legal certainty through a copyright regime that provides “genuine control” and transparency to creators.

Sir Paul, one of the two surviving members of the Beatles, said: “You young people, girls, are coming in, and they write a beautiful song, and they don’t own it, and they have nothing to do. With this.

“The truth is, the money is going somewhere…somebody is getting paid, so why shouldn’t it be the guy who sat down and wrote it yesterday?”

He appealed to the government to think again about its plans, saying: “We are the people, you are the government! You are supposed to protect us. That’s your job.

“So you know, if you’re putting a bill through, make sure you protect creative thinkers, creative artists, or you’re not going to have them.”

The government is currently consulting on proposals that would allow AI companies to use content available online without respecting copyright if they are using it for text or data mining.

Generative AI uses programs to process, or learn from, vast amounts of data online, such as text, images, or music, to generate new content that feels like it was created by a human.

The proposals would give artists or creators a so-called “rights reservation” – the ability to opt out.

But critics of the plan believe it is not possible for an individual author or artist to inform thousands of different AI service providers that they do not want their material used that way, or to monitor it. That’s what has happened to his work all over the internet.

An alternative proposal for artists to choose to give their permission to use their material will be put forward in the House of Lords this week by cross bench peer Baroness Kidron.

Tom Kiehl, chief executive of music industry body UK Music, said: “The government plans to change copyright law to make it easier for AI firms to use the music of artists, composers and music companies.

“This would be a wild punt against the creative sector which already contributes more than £120bn to the economy and could be counterproductive to the government’s own growth ambitions.

“There is no evidence that creatives can effectively ‘choose out’ about their work from being trained by AI systems and so this apparent concession provides no reassurance to those who work in music.”

A government spokesperson said that the UK music industry was “truly world-class” and had produced “some of the most famous artists in history”.

“That is why we have launched a consultation to ensure that the UK copyright framework provides stronger protections for artists in relation to AI,” he said.

“Our aim is to provide legal certainty through a copyright regime that gives creators real control, transparency, and helps them license their content.”

The spokesperson said the government was “keen to hear the music industry’s views on these proposals” and “will only move forward once we are confident we are providing clarity, control and transparency for artists and the sector , for AI innovators with appropriate access to data”.

In 2023, Sir Paul and fellow Beatle Sir Ringo Starr use AI to extract vocals from an unfinished demo left by John Lennon compose a new song now and then,

The song, billed as the Beatles’ final release, drew widespread praise and was nominated for two Grammys and a Brit Award.

Sir Paul recently completed his Get Back Tour, which saw the 82-year-old play in France, Spain and Brazil before finishing at London’s O2 Arena.

Full interview with Paul McCartney Sunday with Laura Kunsberg On Sunday 26 January at 09:00 GMT.