European Commission launches a consultation on copyright and related rights

On 29 September 2026, the European Commission launched a targeted consultation on copyright and related rights in response to technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence. It is collecting contributions until 3 November 2026 to consider possible additional measures to support creativity and innovation.

This consultation follows on from the call for evidence announced on 18 May 2026, which closed on 25 June. The Commission was already examining the effects and effectiveness of the 2019 directive, as well as the possibility of a targeted legislative initiative. Licensing and respect for rights in the context of generative AI were among the issues covered by that work.

Licensing and imitations of performers on the agenda

The Commission has identified four areas. The consultation covers the use of protected content in AI and online piracy, particularly of live events. It also addresses the implementation of performers’ and music producers’ right to a single equitable remuneration, as well as copyright in scientific research.

The official EUSurvey questionnaire includes sections on generative AI, licensing, and respect for copyright and related rights. Another section covers AI-generated imitations of performers. Participants can provide comments and evidence supporting their experiences with licensing or exercising their rights.

The Commission invites copyright and related rights holders, generative AI providers, and other participants in the AI value chain. Intermediaries and collective management organisations are also being asked to contribute.

Research organisations, sports organisers, and organisers of other live events can also contribute. The invitation also extends to national authorities, consumer associations, and non-governmental organisations.

The sections on licensing and respect for rights bring together two concerns. Creators seek to control and monetise the use of their works, as well as to exercise their rights. Developers need predictable access and licensing terms.

European rules already govern uses

The 2019 European directive governs text and data mining, which refers to the automated analysis of content to extract information. Article 4 provides for an exception or limitation for reproductions and extractions of lawfully accessible content for this purpose.

This exception applies when rights holders have not expressly reserved their rights in an appropriate manner. For content publicly available online, this reservation may be made through machine-readable means.

Article 3 provides for a separate text and data mining framework for scientific research by research organisations and cultural heritage institutions, involving content to which they have lawful access.

The European regulation on artificial intelligence also establishes obligations for providers of general-purpose models. They must have a policy for complying with copyright and related rights, including identifying and respecting reservations of rights. They must also publish a sufficiently detailed summary of the content used for training.

These obligations have applied since 2 August 2025 and also cover providers of open models. Models placed on the market before that date benefit from a transition period until 2 August 2027. The code of practice is a voluntary tool for demonstrating compliance. The obligations arise from the regulation.

Possible additional measures could change creators’ opportunities for remuneration or redress, as well as developers’ licensing terms and costs. These effects would depend on the content of the measures and their adoption.

The opening of the consultation does not establish any new compulsory licence, compensation, or price increase. The September press release does not quantify any financial impact or set a timetable for adoption.

Creators and AI stakeholders can submit their comments and evidence supporting their experience through the official questionnaire until 3 November 2026.