The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre welcome the Government’s decision to drop proposals that would have allowed artificial intelligence companies to use copyrighted works without permission.
The decision follows widespread concern across the creative industries about the impact of a proposed text and data mining exception, which would have shifted the burden onto creators to protect their work. The Government has now confirmed this is no longer its preferred approach.
SOLT & UK Theatre, alongside partners across the creative industries, have consistently warned that such proposals risked undermining the UK’s world-leading copyright framework and the livelihoods of creators, freelancers, and small businesses across the sector.
Theatre is a central part of the UK’s creative economy and public life. More than 37 million people attend theatre across the UK each year, with over 17 million attending performances in the West End alone. Behind these audiences sits a complex ecosystem of writers, performers, designers, producers, and venues, all of whom depend on copyright and licensing to sustain new work.
Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, Co-CEOs of SOLT & UK Theatre, said:
“We welcome the Government’s decision to step back from proposals that would have been deeply damaging to creators, producers, and the wider theatre sector.
“Copyright is the foundation of our industry. It ensures that those who create work control how it is used and are properly remunerated.
“We appreciate the leadership of Baroness Kidron, as well as figures across the sector, including Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who have consistently championed the importance of protecting creative rights.
“We urge Government to go further and rule out any future approach that would weaken these protections or shift the burden onto creators, particularly freelancers and small organisations.
“This reset creates an opportunity to work together on a framework for AI that is based on transparency, consent, and licensing, supporting both innovation and the long-term sustainability of the UK’s creative industries.”
SOLT & UK Theatre will continue to engage closely with Government to ensure that future policy supports both responsible AI development and a strong, sustainable creative sector.
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