Cliff Notes – Sir Elton John calls government ‘absolute losers’ and threatens to take them to court over AI laws
- Sir Elton John expressed feelings of betrayal and anger towards the UK Government for resisting amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill that would enhance copyright protections against AI usage.
- The House of Lords supported an amendment requiring permission from copyright holders for the use of their work, but MPs voted against it, leading to ongoing tensions between the two Houses.
- John, alongside other creatives, has vowed to fight for stronger copyright laws, stating he is prepared to take legal action against the Government if necessary.
Sir Elton John calls government ‘absolute losers’ and threatens to take them to court over AI laws
Sir Elton John described the Government as ‘absolute losers’ and said he felt ‘incredibly betrayed’ amid calls for better copyright protection against AI.
The Rocket Man singer, 78, said he’s been left ‘very angry’ after calls to amend the Data (Use and Access) Bill to include greater copyright protections against artificial intelligence (AI) were resisted.
Earlier this week, the House of Lords supported an amendment designed to ensure copyright holders would have to give permission over whether their work was used, and in turn, see what aspects had been taken, by who and when.
MPs voted 297 to 168, majority 129, to disagree with this change on Wednesday evening, which means the stand-off between the two Houses over the wording of the Bill continues.
The Government has argued that some of the proposed amendments to the Bill pre-empt the results of its copyright and AI consultation, and it does not want to legislate in a ‘piecemeal’ fashion.
Sir Elton John said he felt ‘incredibly betrayed’
Sir Elton is among hundreds of creatives who have urged the Government to protect copyright law.
Speaking to the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Sir Elton said: ‘It’s criminal, in that I feel incredibly betrayed.
‘The House of Lords did a vote, and it was more than two to one in our favour, the Government just looked at it as if to say, “hmmm, well the old people… like me can afford it.”’
The singer said the Government was on track to ‘rob young people of their legacy and their income, it’s a criminal offence, I think.’
He added: ‘The government are just being absolute losers, and I’m very angry about it.’
Sir Elton has spoken of his ailments
Sir Elton also said he was prepared to take ministers to court, telling the programme: ‘We’ll fight it all the way.’
A Department for Science, Innovation and Technology spokesperson said: ‘The Data (Use and Access) Bill is focused on unlocking the secure and effective use of data for the public interest – boosting the economy by an estimated £10 billion over the course of the next 10 years to help deliver the growth which is fundamental to the government’s plan for change.
‘We want our creative industries and AI companies to flourish, which is why we have been separately consulting on a package of measures that we hope will work for both sectors.
‘We have always been clear that we will not rush into any decisions or bring forward any legislation until we are confident that we have a practical plan which delivers on each of our objectives.’
Celebs who signed an open letter backing proposals to protect copyright law
Dua Lipa
Sir Paul McCartney
Russell T Davies
Coldplay
Florence Welch
Robbie Williams
Mark Ronson
Annie Lennox
Kate Bush
Richard Curtis
Currently, British songs, films, paintings and news articles are protected under UK copyright law but a recent Government consultation proposed that it could offer tech companies free access to British music, films, books and more in order to train generative models without permission or payment, with creators required to ‘opt-out’ if they do not want their work to be used.
In April, Elton made a triumphant return to stage after sharing an update on his deteriorating sight.
The music legend revealed he can’t read, watch TV, or see his boys play sports as his blindness takes a toll on his personal life.
Sir Elton is a proud dad to sons Zachary, 14, and Elijah, 12, who he shares with husband David Furnish, 62.
Last July, he contracted a severe eye infection that left him blind in his right eye, with ‘limited vision’ in his left.
Sir Elton spoke to The Times newspaper about his ailments.
He told the publication: ‘I can see you, but I can’t see TV; I can’t read. I can’t see my boys playing rugby and soccer.
‘And it has been a very stressful time because I’m used to soaking it all up.’
On the effects the vision impairment has had, he added: ‘It’s distressing. You get emotional, but you have to get used to it because I’m lucky to have the life I have.
‘I still have my wonderful family, and I can still see something out of here [left eye], so you say to yourself, “Just get on with it”.’
