Irish Publishers and Musicians Call for Stronger AI Copyright Protection
Irish publishers and musicians want stronger EU copyright protections as policymakers examine how AI companies use creative work.
Irish publishers and music industry representatives are calling for stronger European copyright protections, arguing that artificial intelligence companies must be more transparent about how they use journalism, recordings and other creative work to develop their technology.
The appeal comes ahead of a copyright conference in Dublin on 14 October, organised by NewsBrands Ireland and the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA). The event will bring together policymakers, legal experts and creative industry representatives to examine how copyright law should respond to the rapid growth of AI.
Wout van Wijk, executive director of News Media Europe, has highlighted the need for greater transparency about whether publishers’ content has been used to train AI systems. Without clearer information, rights holders can struggle to establish how their work has been used and negotiate appropriate licensing arrangements.
Why AI copyright matters to the creative industries
The debate extends beyond journalism. Musicians, songwriters and record labels face similar questions about the use of recordings and compositions in AI development, particularly when technology can generate new content based on patterns learned from existing material.
Publishers want greater clarity about how their articles are collected and processed, while music industry representatives are seeking practical ways to protect creative work and secure fair commercial arrangements. Both sectors argue that technological progress should not come at the expense of the people whose work helps make it possible.
The European Commission announced a consultation on 29 September 2026 examining the impact of artificial intelligence and other technological developments on copyright protection. The consultation remains open until 3 November, giving rights holders and technology companies an opportunity to present their views.
What happens next?
Ireland’s conference takes place during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, providing an opportunity to bring the concerns of publishers and musicians into the wider European policy debate.
No new copyright rules have been agreed as a result of the consultation, but the discussions could help shape future decisions on transparency, licensing and enforcement.
For the creative industries, the central question is whether European policymakers can establish practical protections that allow AI innovation to continue while ensuring journalists, musicians and other creators retain meaningful control over the commercial use of their work.
