The Korea Music Copyright Association (Chairman Ju Gayeol, hereafter referred to as the Music Copyright Association) expressed deep agreement with the speech presented by Björn Ulvaeus, President of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), at a public debate with British lawmakers held in Westminster, England, on April 29 (local time), stating that the principles should also apply to the protection of domestic creators' rights.
Björn, the co-founder of the legendary pop group ABBA and the representative of CISAC, which has 227 member organizations in 116 countries, emphasized the balance between the advancement of AI technology and the creative industry at the podium. He noted, "Copyright is the oxygen necessary for creators and the creative economy to survive," warning that amendments to laws and regulations that weaken the negotiation and revenue rights of creators in a rapidly advancing AI technology environment would be a "historical regression."
He continued, stating, "The AI revolution could be the biggest and most positive change facing the creative industry," but emphasized that "a legal and mutually respectful partnership between creators and AI operators must be a prerequisite." He pointed out that the weakening of copyright and the introduction of broad exceptions driven by some technology corporations not only infringe on creators' rights but could also lead to severe losses throughout the technology industry and the creative ecosystem.
He further presented three key principles for the protection of creators' rights in the AI era: ▲ ensuring transparency in the AI learning process ▲ guaranteeing the right of creators to directly license their works ▲ establishing a fair compensation system, reiterating that technological advancement should not lead to the erosion of creators' rights.
Chairman Ju expressed agreement with Björn's remarks, saying, "The advancement of AI technology presents new opportunities and challenges in the creative environment, but if that advancement is not based on creators' rights, technology can become a means of exploitation rather than a tool of creation." He asserted, "Copyright must never be sacrificed as the foundation of creation in the AI era, and we will do our utmost to protect the rights of domestic creators by standing in solidarity with the international community and advocating for policies that create a fair technological environment."
[OSEN]