DACS CEO speaks at Westminster Legal Policy Forum on the future of intellectual property
Last week, DACS CEO, Christian Zimmermann, joined leading voices at ‘The Future for Intellectual Property in the UK’ conference, hosted by the Westminster Legal Policy Forum. The event brought together policymakers, legal experts, and industry representatives to discuss how copyright law can adapt in the age of artificial intelligence.
About the Westminster Forum Projects
The Westminster Legal Policy Forum is part of Westminster Forum Projects (WFP), which runs impartial, cross-party policy forums across the UK and Europe. These forums bring together senior policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders for high-level conferences aimed at improving public policy through informed, inclusive debate.
Representing over 180,000 artists worldwide, DACS plays a vital role in protecting the rights of visual creators and maximising their royalties. We were pleased to be invited to speak and discuss next steps for UK copyright - focusing on how we balance rights protection, innovation, and transparency as AI reshapes the creative landscape.
The UK’s creative industries are a vital cultural and economic force, driven by the work of artists and creators. As AI develops at pace, our focus is on ensuring these artists are protected, fairly paid and able to benefit from innovation rather than be undermined by it.
DACS CEO
Key discussion themes
Strong support for licensing: Both government progress reports and DACS’ own research show overwhelming support for licensing as the preferred solution for AI training and use of creative works. In our survey, 84% of respondents favoured licensing, with over 90% calling for consultation, compensation, and credit.
Concerns over opt-out mechanisms: Christian highlighted that opt-out systems, such as those adopted in the EU AI Act, have proven ineffective - particularly in the visual arts, where works are often scraped without consent and lack universal identifiers.
Copyright must be respected: While the government has stated that copyright should protect creative works while enabling AI innovation, Christian questioned why this balance should come at the expense of creators’ rights. Current UK law already grants exclusive rights to authors, yet these have not been enforced effectively.
Economic impact on creators: The creative industries are a cornerstone of the UK’s economy, but visual artists earn an average of just £12,500 per year, with 81% reporting unstable incomes. Generative AI is exacerbating this challenge - 30% of photographers have lost clients due to AI, with estimated losses of £10,000 each.
The case for licensing and transparency: Christian stressed that compliance with copyright law and licensing - through collective, blanket, and bespoke agreements, offers the best route to fairness and legal certainty. This approach benefits creators, technology companies, and the public, especially as AI becomes embedded in education and other sectors.
- Learning from global models: DACS supports approaches like Australia’s categorical rejection of text and data mining exceptions for AI, and levy systems in Europe that provide ongoing income for creators. In the UK, DACS continues to advocate for the Smart Fund levy on digital devices, which has broad parliamentary support but faces resistance from the tech industry.
Looking ahead
AI offers transformative opportunities, but without robust protections and fair remuneration, the viability of creative careers is at risk. DACS will continue to track developments and advocate for rights that give artists real control over their work and intellectual property. We urge the Government to work closely with the creative sector throughout 2026 to establish a licensing framework that is robust yet flexible - one that supports a thriving, sustainable creative ecosystem while fostering innovation.
