In September, ALCS gave evidence to the CMS Committee along with partner organisations on creator remuneration. The Committee has now published its report and recommendations.

We are delighted to see recommendations that we have long campaigned for and that will have a tangible impact on pay and conditions for creators.

CEO Barbara Hayes said: “The CMS Committee report into creator remuneration shows real insight into the issues facing the industry. We’re pleased to see that it both recognises the crucial role that creators play in the UK economy and calls for achievable actions to actively address the downward trajectory in creator incomes and to support creators at a grass-roots level, particularly those from under-represented backgrounds.”

THE SMART MONEY IS ON THE SMART FUND

The Committee called for the introduction of a UK private copying scheme, such as the Smart Fund proposal that ALCS supports. They said: “We recommend the Government work with the UK’s creative industries to introduce a statutory private copying scheme, which, at minimum, safeguards reciprocal payments from abroad, to be produced within the next twelve months.”

Private copying schemes involve manufacturers paying a small fraction of the revenue from sales of electronic devices to creators, at no additional cost to the consumer. Such schemes are common throughout Europe, but the lack of a UK equivalent is a double-blow for creators. Not only do they miss out on much-needed domestic income, income from international schemes is also jeopardised due to a lack of reciprocity from the UK.

FIX IT FOR FREELANCERS

The report also called for the establishment of a Freelancer Commissioner. It said: “We recommend that the Government appoint a Freelancers’ Commissioner, with appropriate powers and cross-departmental oversight, to advocate across Government in the interests of creative freelancers, and of other freelance and self-employed people more broadly.”

Freelance creatives lack representation, and this has accelerated a decline in pay, rights and conditions. A dedicated Freelancer Commissioner would foster better engagement between Government and freelance creatives and help to find solutions to the issues they face. ALCS has long campaigned for the appointment of a Freelancer Commissioner and are pleased to see the Committee recognise the urgent need for it.

AI AND CREATORS

The Committee urged the Government to do more to ensure creators are compensated for the use of their works in artificial intelligence systems. The report said: “The Government must ensure that creators have proper mechanisms to enforce their consent and receive fair compensation for use of their work by AI developers.”

Last year we published our Principles for AI and Authors, which provides policymakers with high-level principles to consider in the development of any future policy in this area. This includes ensuring that creators are both acknowledged and fairly compensated when their works are used by AI systems. We welcome the Committee explicitly acknowledging the necessity of these principles.

Read the full CMS report here.

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