The Premier League has expressed concerns over proposed UK government reforms to copyright law aimed at accommodating artificial intelligence (AI) companies and their use of intellectual property (IP).
In its response to a government consultation, the league questioned why the proposals did not adequately address the sports sector, warning that the changes could weaken existing IP protections that underpin its global broadcasting and commercial success.
One of the central issues is a proposed framework that could allow AI companies to access copyrighted material unless rights holders explicitly opt out. The Premier League argued this approach risks undermining the creative economy and could enable unauthorized use of protected content.
The league has called for stronger safeguards, including greater transparency from AI companies regarding the data and content used in training models, as well as a structured licensing system to ensure rights holders are compensated.
The UK government’s consultation, launched in late 2024, explored multiple options for copyright reform, including mandatory licensing, a broad data mining exception, and a hybrid model allowing rights holders to reserve their rights. While the consultation received significant input from various industries, the sports sector was notably underrepresented.
Beyond AI-specific concerns, the Premier League also highlighted broader piracy challenges, noting that illegal streaming and unauthorized distribution of content remain ongoing issues. The league fears that weakened copyright protections could exacerbate these problems, particularly as AI tools become more accessible.
To address evolving consumption trends and piracy risks, the Premier League is also exploring direct-to-consumer streaming initiatives as an alternative distribution model in select markets.