UK Government Reverses Copyright Reform Plan After Artist Opposition to AI Training Provisions

The UK government has withdrawn a proposed copyright law reform that would have allowed commercial AI training using copyrighted content without permission or compensation to creators. The plan faced significant opposition from over 400 artists including Elton John, Paul McCartney, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay, who signed an open letter in May 2025. Technology and Innovation Minister Liz Kendall announced the reversal in a written parliamentary statement, acknowledging widespread rejection by creative industries. The government now plans to establish working groups to balance creator protections with AI sector development while maintaining ambitions for UK leadership in artificial intelligence.