News
GESAC statement on the EU Culture Council discussion on AI and copyright
Brussels, 12 May 2026, GESAC welcomes today’s discussion among EU Culture Ministers in Brussels on the urgent need to assess the EU copyright framework in light of generative AI developments.
The political message sent by Culture Ministers across Europe today was strong and clear: Europe cannot build its AI future on the unauthorised use of creators’ works. The growing threat posed by generative AI models trained on copyrighted content without authorisation, transparency and remuneration must be tackled. Member States strongly echoed the European Parliament’s March Resolution [Axel Voss report] and called for a rapid and ambitious EU policy response.
2026 edition of the ALAI European Authors’ Right Award awarded to Michalina Kowala
The 2026 edition of the ALAI European Authors’ Right Award, supported by GESAC, was awarded to Michalina Kowala for her essay:
“L’instrumentalisation du droit d’auteur et des droits voisins au service des défis de la transformation numérique.”
Plenary vote: European Parliament backs legislative action to protects authors’ rights in this new AI-driven environment.
Brussels, 10 March 2026 – By adopting its report on generative AI and copyright, Parliament takes a firm position in favour of strong protection for creators and calls for targeted legislative action to address the massive and ongoing unfairness in this fast-growing market.
“As the European Commission is currently assessing the EU copyright framework, the Parliament has clearly recognised the need for action to ensure fairness, transparency and appropriate remuneration for creators in the generative AI market”, said Adriana Moscoso del Prado, General Manager of GESAC. “This political report also stresses the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the European legal system, which must apply equally to all services operating in the EU, while ensuring a level playing field for Europe’s innovative businesses.”
Moscoso del Prado added: “This vote adds to the growing recognition at EU level of what is at stake: innovation, fairness and cultural sovereignty must go hand in hand. To achieve the right balance between protection and innovation, authors’ societies must play a central role, creating a sustainable licensing market that ensures appropriate remuneration for creators across the GenAI value chain, and streamlined rights clearance for the operation and use of GenAI services in the cultural market.”
