On 10-11 February 2025, global leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders will gather in Paris for the AI Action Summit, marking a critical milestone in the international dialogue on artificial intelligence, intellectual property rights, and cultural preservation.
For the first time at this high level, intellectual property and copyright protection are at the heart of the conversation on AI governance. This is a historic opportunity to ensure that the development of AI respects and supports creativity, rather than undermining it.
The European Publishers Council (EPC), alongside 38 international organisations representing the creative and cultural sectors, is calling for the adoption of an international charter on ‘Culture and Innovation’—a framework that ensures AI evolves responsibly, transparently, and sustainably while upholding the rights of creators, journalists, and publishers.
Why This Matters: No Trusted AI Without Respect for Copyright
AI systems rely on human creativity, yet too often they are built on unauthorised use of copyrighted content, extracting value without permission, attribution, or compensation. If AI is to be truly trusted, ethical and sustainable, fundamental intellectual property principles must be embedded in its development and deployment.
The Hiroshima AI Process under the G7, the G20 conclusions, and multiple international declarations have all recognised the urgent need to align AI development with copyright protections. The Paris AI Summit presents a decisive moment for governments to take concrete action in ensuring AI respects fundamental rights.
Without strong safeguards:
AI will erode the economic foundations of journalism, publishing, and cultural industries.
There will be no accountability for the unauthorised use of copyrighted works.
AI models will be built on exploitation, reinforcing monopolistic control by a few dominant tech firms.
There is too much at stake to allow AI to be a tool for unchecked appropriation—governments must act to reconcile technological progress with respect for intellectual property.
The Five Core Principles for Responsible AI
The co-signatories have outlined five fundamental principles that must guide AI development:
AI model providers must respect fundamental rights, including copyright and related rights, in particular by diligently seeking and respecting the express wishes of rightsholders.
Effective and full transparency towards rightsholders on the copyrighted works and content used to train AI models.
Encouraging operators of AI models to seek licenses, within the framework of authorizations duly negotiated with rightsholders.
Appropriate and fair remuneration for the use of works and content protected by intellectual property rights.
Effective sanctions for non-compliance with these principles.
A Call to Action: Governments Must Seize This Moment and Stand Up for the Creative Industries
The Paris AI Action Summit must deliver more than just words—it must lead to real commitments and enforceable measures. Governments have a special responsibility to ensure AI serves the public good while protecting creative industries.
The EPC urges policymakers to take decisive action at the Summit by:
Adopting binding commitments that enforce copyright compliance in AI development.
Ensuring AI models respect intellectual property laws—no training without authorisation.
Implementing a fair compensation framework for publishers and creators whose content fuels AI.
Holding AI firms accountable through transparency mandates and penalties for violations.
The Future of AI Depends on Respect for Creativity
The stakes are too high to ignore. Without clear safeguards, AI threatens to hollow out cultural industries, distort market competition, and erode trust in information. The European Publishers Council stands firm with our co-signatories in emphasising:
There will be no trusted AI without respect for intellectual property.
There will be ethical AI without the authorisation of rightsholders.
There will be no trusted AI without a fair business model.
We call on governments, regulators, and industry leaders to ensure that AI does not become a tool of exploitation, but a force for responsible innovation, fair competition, and the continued vitality of independent journalism and creative industries.
To read the call and see the list of signatories: https://respectdudroitdauteur.fr/