Merlin, a prominent indie music collective, has strongly opposed the UK's proposed AI training law that would allow AI developers to train models on copyrighted works without permission. The organization warns this could cause over $200 million in annual damages to independent artists through lost revenue.

Jeremy Sirota, Merlin's CEO, emphasizes that independent music shouldn't be exploited by tech companies without consent and compensation. According to Sirota, "AI should be additive, not a tool for devaluing human artistry."

Key concerns raised by Merlin:

• The law would benefit AI developers at the expense of rightsholders
• Creators would bear the burden of opting out rather than being opted in
• The proposal threatens intellectual property rights
• Large tech corporations could exploit independent artists without permission

Merlin advocates for alternative approaches:

• Requiring AI developers to obtain permission before training
• Mandatory disclosure of materials already used in AI models
• Strengthening copyright protections rather than weakening them
• Supporting technical and commercial initiatives that enable responsible AI licensing

The opposition extends beyond Merlin, with other industry leaders joining the criticism:

• Major record labels have voiced strong concerns
• The Association of Independent Music (AIM) opposes the measure
• IMPEL CEO Sarah Williams called it "a huge misstep"
• IMPF President Annette Barrett warns of an "existential threat to IP in the UK"

The UK government has reportedly shown signs of potentially revising its approach, following widespread industry pushback through initiatives like the Make It Fair campaign, which has gained significant support across the creative sectors.

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