AI is Coming for Your Intellectual Property: What Entrepreneurs Need to Know

The rise of AI-generated content is shaking up industries worldwide, but a new UK proposal could change the game for creative business owners. If you produce content, whether it is digital art, books, podcasts, or music, this legal shift could mean your intellectual property (IP) is up for grabs.

1. The UK’s Controversial AI Copyright Proposal

In January 2025, the UK government released its "AI Opportunities Action Plan," suggesting that AI companies should have an easier path to using copyrighted works for training their models. Essentially, they want to establish a compulsory licensing system, meaning AI companies would not need your permission to use your work. Instead, you would have to opt out, a nearly impossible task considering the vastness of the internet.

2. Why This Matters for Creative Entrepreneurs

Imagine building a brand, creating original content, and then discovering that an AI model has been trained on your work, without your consent. That is exactly what is happening now, and it is only getting worse.

Major entertainment companies, including Sony Music, have already had to remove 75,000 AI-generated deepfake tracks from streaming platforms due to copyright infringement.

This is not just a concern for large corporations, small business owners and independent creators are at risk, too. AI-driven platforms are already making it possible to replicate voices, art styles, and even written content with alarming accuracy. If governments legalize this practice without safeguards, protecting your brand and monetizing your work could become much harder.

3. Industry Pushback and Legal Battles

The backlash against the UK’s proposal has been swift. Thousands of creators, including icons like Paul McCartney and Elton John, have spoken out. A coalition of over 1,000 creatives even released a silent album titled Is This What We Want? to protest AI’s unauthorized use of intellectual property.

The House of Lords received over 11,000 responses opposing the proposal, and companies like Sony Music have warned about the economic consequences of AI-powered copyright theft. In 2023, the UK’s creative sector contributed £7.66 billion to the economy, a number that could take a major hit if IP protections are weakened.

4. What Can You Do?

If you are in the creative industry, now is the time to act. Stay informed, advocate for stronger IP protections, and consider legal strategies to safeguard your work.

This fight is not just about protecting individual creators, it is about securing the future of intellectual property in the AI era. Do not let AI companies take your work without a fight.

If you need legal guidance, Delgado Entertainment Law offers free case evaluations to help entrepreneurs and business owners navigate these complex issues.

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Krystle Delgado, Esq.

CEO/Founder