Comments from CEPIC on the European Parliament report on copyright and generative AI, 10 March 2026.
'Copyright and generative artificial intelligence: opportunities and challenges'
In March 2026, the EU Parliament voted in favour of a report on copyright and generative AI, led by MEP Axel Voss, by a large majority. The report calls on the Commission to legislate without delay in the realm of copyright and AI. The result was clear: 460 votes in favour, 71 against and 88 abstentions.
CEPIC fully supports the report's overarching goal of addressing the structural imbalance between generative AI companies and rightsholders. The Report recognises that creators deserve transparency and fair remuneration, and that exclusive rights are essential for establishing a licensing market for the use of copyright-protected visual content by GenAI models.
It rightly states that rightsholders must have full control over the use of their works by AI systems and models for training purposes and beyond. Full transparency regarding the use of these works is necessary, irrespective of the jurisdiction in which the training took place. We also welcome the report's recommendation to the European Commission to establish a rebuttable presumption that copyright-protected works have been used for training purposes when an AI model or system placed on the EU market has not complied with its transparency obligations. Lastly, we support the call for the Commission to protect the press and news media, whose work is often exploited by AI systems. News outlets whose traffic and revenue are diverted by AI systems should be fully compensated, and they should also have the right to refuse the use of their content for training AI systems.
The adoption of the report is an important step in shaping the policy direction ahead of the forthcoming review of the EU copyright framework. The priority should now be on implementing and enforcing existing rules.
-On CEPIC
CEPIC is an international non profit organisation with the aim of being a united voice for the visual media industry, in Europe and beyond. CEPIC's governance is assured by an international Board representing different sides of the industry. National trade associations, as well as individual companies active in the visual media licensing industry, may join CEPIC.
CEPIC is registered as A.I.S.B.L (Association Internationale Sans But Lucratif) in Brussels, Nbr 0786.351.284 ; Transparency Register: CEPIC AISBL: 844063451685-53