EU Strengthens Copyright in the Age of AI

The European Parliament has taken a clear position on the relationship between generative AI and copyright. On 10 March 2026, Parliament adopted recommendations from the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) aimed at ensuring that the rights of the creative sectors are upheld in the training and use of AI.

The key message is clear: the development of AI must be transparent and fair. According to Parliament, authors and rights holders must be guaranteed the ability to monitor how their works are used and to receive appropriate compensation.

Transparency at the core

Generative AI models rely on vast datasets, which often include copyrighted material. Parliament calls on developers to be transparent about the data used to train these systems.

The aim of increased transparency is to strengthen the position of rights holders and enable licensing negotiations. At the same time, Parliament emphasizes that rights holders must have the right to prohibit the use of their works in AI training.

Towards new licensing models

Parliament also supports the development of new licensing frameworks to ensure that creators are fairly compensated when their content is used by AI systems. The recommendations further address AI-generated content, stating that content created entirely by AI should not be protected by copyright. In addition, service providers are expected to take responsibility for addressing the harmful spread of AI-modified content.

Clear rules would benefit both technology developers and the creative industries. As rapporteur Axel Voss (EPP, Germany) states:

“We need clear rules governing the use of copyrighted content in AI training. Legal certainty would benefit both sides: AI developers would know what content can be used and how to obtain the necessary licenses, while rights holders would be protected against unauthorized use and ensured fair compensation. Such rules are essential if we want to advance AI development in Europe without undermining the creative sectors.”

The Parliament’s position reflects a broader objective: to advance AI development in Europe without undermining the operating conditions of the creative sectors. Transparency, fair compensation, and clear licensing models are seen as key mechanisms for achieving this balance.

Read the European Parliament’s press release

Photo: Philippe Stirnweiss© European Union 2026