SAA - Society of Audiovisual Authors

Why this resolution matters

The resolution adopted today sets out clear guidance for the European Commission to assess the European copyright framework in relation to AI without any delay and address the structural imbalance between generative AI companies and rightsholders, including audiovisual authors.

• On transparency, the resolution calls for full disclosure of all copyrighted works used to train AI models. Failure to provide complete transparency should give rise to a rebuttable presumption that copyright protected works have been used for the purpose of training, triggering all applicable legal consequences under EU and national law for the infringement of rights by AI providers.
• On licensing, the resolution calls for the establishment of a coherent and functioning licensing framework to restore the bargaining power of rightsholders and enable the fair remuneration of creators for the exploitation of their works; It recognises collective management organisations (CMOs) as part of any workable solution by calling on the Commission to facilitate, in consultation with CMOs, the establishment of voluntary collective licensing agreements per sector as the fastest route to a functioning market.
• On remuneration, the resolution calls on the Commission to examine solutions for the immediate, fair and proportionate remuneration for past uses of copyrighted works by general-purpose AI providers, particularly where no licensing market has yet been established.

"Today's vote confirms what Europe's screenwriters and directors have been saying for years: the current framework is failing them. GenAI companies have built billion-euro businesses on the works of audiovisual authors without asking, paying or disclosure. The Parliament has now spoken with a clear majority. We call on the European Commission to swiftly introduce enforceable obligations that level the playing field."  Barbara Hayes, SAA Chair

"Directing is not just a profession; it's a vocation built on years of craft. Directors have always been early adopters of new technologies and many already work with AI. However, they are now seeing AI systems replicate their work. The Parliament acknowledges this threat to their livelihoods and gives it political weight. Now, we need the Commission to enforce rules so that European directors can continue to tell original stories that engage audiences worldwide." Bill Anderson, FERA Chair

"Every film, every series, every episode of television has a screenwriter behind it who spend months, most often years, bringing it to life. These words are taken unlawfully, without consent and without remuneration - stolen by generative AI systems to be used as basis of their own product. This is not an abstract policy debate, it is the fight for creatives to earn a living and for the diversity of stories offered to European audiences.” Jacob Groll, FSE President