UK Consultation On AI Concludes That A Text And Data Mining Exception To Copyright And Database Right Infringement For Any Purpose Should Be Introduced

The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has published its response to its consultation on legislative changes needed to accommodate AI which closed in January 2022.

The Government's response states that it "has accepted the need to create a new data mining exception for copyright and database rights", and that "This will make it easier to analyse material for machine learning, research and innovation". The exception will apply to text and data mining "for any purpose" although rights holders will still have safeguards to protect their content, including a requirement for lawful access. The response also includes details of the Government's decision not to introduce changes to the UK's patent inventorship criteria or copyright computer generated works provisions at this time, although the law will be kept under review.