The UK government will delay contentious changes to copyright rules that would have eased AI companies' access to media content after fierce opposition from the creative industries. A government consultation on AI use of copyrighted materials found no consensus on proposed models, forcing ministers to reconsider their approach. The decision means no AI legislation in the upcoming King's Speech in May.

Industry leaders including Working Title Films co-chair Eric Fellner had warned that proposed opt-out models posed an existential threat to creative sectors. The backlash included protests such as a "silent album" release demonstrating intellectual property theft impacts. Media executives argue that automatic inclusion of copyrighted content in AI training is unfair, preferring to negotiate their own licensing deals rather than accept government-mandated compromises.

The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee has urged the government to rule out text and data mining exceptions, advocating instead for a licensing-first regime with robust transparency protections. News Media Association chief executive Owen Meredith warned that prolonged uncertainty has chilled the UK content licensing market, urging ministers to publicly rule out copyright changes and let market solutions develop.