SPA has taken its concerns over artificial intelligence directly to the federal Parliament, calling for producers to retain meaningful control over how their intellectual property is used.
Appearing before the Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence, SPA CEO Matthew Deaner said screen producers have a significant stake in Australia’s developing AI policy, with intellectual property sitting at the heart of the production business.
SPA told the inquiry that any approach to AI and copyright should be built around three principles: meaningful consent, reasonable compensation and transparency.
Deaner said producers need greater visibility and control over how their intellectual property is used by AI systems.
“Screen producers invest in, create and commercialise intellectual property. They need to know when and how that work is being used by AI systems and retain meaningful control over that use.”
The submission comes as the parliamentary inquiry considers how Australia should regulate AI, with copyright emerging as a major issue during hearings this week.
Creative industry groups including ARIA, the ABC, MEAA and the Australian Writers’ Guild have pushed back against proposals that could make it easier for AI companies to use copyrighted material for training.
The Federal Government has previously ruled out introducing a broad text-and-data-mining exception, which would allow AI developers to use Australian creators’ work without permission or compensation.
It is instead examining issues including licensing arrangements, copyright certainty and more accessible enforcement options.
SPA also wants the framework to recognise the different sizes of businesses operating across the screen sector, with larger rights holders able to negotiate commercial arrangements directly while smaller producers and individual creatives have practical ways to enforce their rights.
Deaner said AI could create new opportunities for Australian screen businesses, but argued that policy settings need to balance innovation with the interests of the people creating the content.
“The challenge is to establish policy settings that allow innovation to flourish while providing certainty, transparency and control for the people and businesses creating Australian intellectual property.”
SPA said it will continue working with Government and Parliament as Australia develops its approach to generative AI.
