"Mandate Disclosure of Training Works and Compliance with Copyright Law in the Basic Act on AI"

15 Major Cultural and Arts Organizations Issue Joint Statement
"Focus Should Not Be Solely on AI Promotion... Protection of Creators' Rights Needed"
Call for Compliance with Copyright Law and Establishment of Fair Compensation System

Fifteen major domestic organizations representing creators have called for the inclusion of provisions to protect creative works, such as compliance with copyright law, in the Basic Act on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Representatives of 15 organizations representing creators in various fields such as culture and arts held a joint statement announcement ceremony on the 14th at the Broadcasting Hall in Mokdong, Seoul. Photo by Korea Broadcasting Association

The 15 organizations, which represent creators in fields such as broadcasting, film, and music, held a joint statement announcement ceremony on the 14th at the Broadcasting Hall in Mokdong, Seoul, and demanded that the National Assembly and the government supplement the Basic Act on AI through additional legislation.

The organizations stated, "We fully recognize that the development of the AI industry is an unstoppable trend of the times and an important factor in future national competitiveness." However, they criticized, "If the government focuses solely on industrial promotion and neglects to protect creative works, which are the true foundation of AI development, it will be a grave misstep that could destroy the creative ecosystem."

They further emphasized, "As long as AI technology advances based on human creative works, the protection of creators' rights is both a fundamental and essential element for the sound and sustainable development of the AI industry." They also mentioned overseas cases that promote coexistence and mutual growth between the AI industry and creators.

They cited legislative and institutional efforts such as the European Union's AI Act, which mandates the disclosure of the sources of training data for AI models, and U.S. legislative bills that establish legal obligations to prevent copyright infringement during AI development. In addition, they noted that major global AI companies and creators are seeking lawful use of creative works through contractual agreements.

The organizations pointed out, "Major domestic AI companies are refusing to disclose the data used for training under the pretext of trade secrets," and added, "Even if creators take legal action for remedy, the reality in Korea is that they must bear a heavy burden of proof and proceed with lawsuits against large corporations."

They called for the Basic Act on AI to mandate 'transparent disclosure and compliance with copyright law regarding training creative works' and to establish a 'fair compensation system for creative works used in AI training' in order to address the serious legislative gap and copyright infringement related to unauthorized AI training of creative works.

The organizations participating in the statement included the Korean Writers' Association, Korea Literary Copyright Association, Korea Fine Arts Association, Korea Broadcasting Writers Association, Korea Broadcasting Association, Korea Photographers Association, Korean Novelists Association, Korea Scenario Writers Union, Korea Scenario Writers Association, Korean Poets Association, Directors Guild of Korea, Korea Music Copyright Association, Writers Association of Korea, Together Music Copyright Association, and International PEN Korea Center.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.