Intellectual property rights Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

Beijing publishing forum calls for AI copyright standards

Publishing leaders and professionals have called for clearer copyright rules and industry standards for the use of AI in publishing, following discussions at the 2026 International Publishing Forum in Beijing.

The forum, held during the Beijing International Book Fair, brought together nearly 300 publishing executives and professionals from 26 countries and regions. It was jointly organised by the Publishers Association of China and the International Publishers Association.

Participants discussed how AI is reshaping publishing workflows, content production and distribution. They said AI should support, rather than replace, human creativity, with human-machine collaboration helping publishers improve efficiency and expand access to high-quality content.

Speakers also warned that the industry must protect intellectual property, preserve the authenticity and credibility of content, and support linguistic diversity as AI-generated material becomes more widely used.

Participants called for international cooperation on standards and copyright frameworks for AI applications in publishing. They said such rules should define rights and responsibilities, support fair compensation and ensure source traceability.

The discussions reflect growing concern in the publishing sector over how AI systems use copyrighted works, how original creators are recognised, and how publishers can maintain trust in content as synthetic media and automated production tools spread.

Why does it matter?

The forum highlights a central concern for creative industries: AI can improve publishing workflows and content distribution, but it also raises unresolved questions about copyright, attribution, compensation and authenticity. For publishers and authors, clear standards on source traceability and rights could become essential as AI-generated or AI-assisted content becomes more common.

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EPO places AI and quality at the centre of SACEPO discussions

The European Patent Office used the 58th meeting of the Standing Advisory Committee before the EPO to discuss patent quality, AI and the digital transformation of the European patent system.

The annual Main SACEPO meeting brought together users of the patent system to review the EPO’s Quality Action Plan 2026, legal changes, the Unitary Patent system and activities of the EPO Observatory and IP Lab.

A key focus was the use of AI to support the patent-granting process. The EPO said AI tools are intended to help examiners improve efficiency, consistency and completeness, while all patent decisions remain under human responsibility.

Participants also discussed progress on quality measures, stakeholder feedback and continued investment in examiner expertise, quality assurance and user engagement.

The meeting reviewed the EPO’s transition to a paperless patent-granting process, planned for April 2027, as well as updates to MyEPO services and DOCX filing.

Discussions also covered recent legal changes, the operational development of the Unitary Patent system, patent validation agreements, implementation of the WIPO treaty on genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and new activities from the EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology.

Why does it matter?

The meeting shows how AI is becoming part of the everyday infrastructure of patent administration. For patent offices, AI can support searches, classification, workflows and consistency, but legal certainty still depends on human responsibility and procedural safeguards. The EPO’s approach also reflects a wider shift towards fully digital public services in intellectual property, where automation, quality control and user trust need to develop together.

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European Patent Office launches Data Desk innovation platform

The European Patent Office (EPO) has launched the Data Desk, a new platform designed to provide innovators, investors and policymakers with detailed insights into global technology, innovation and patent trends.

The initiative was unveiled at VivaTech 2026 in Paris and forms part of the EPO’s broader efforts to support innovation and technological competitiveness across Europe.

The platform combines patent statistics, technology trend analysis and data visualisation tools into a single publicly accessible resource. Users can explore developments across countries and technology sectors, while specialised technology maps provide deeper insights into strategic fields such as clean energy technologies and quantum computing.

Additional datasets covering AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity and other strategically important technologies are expected to be added in future updates.

A key feature of the Data Desk is a dedicated dashboard tracking the performance of more than 8,000 European deep-tech startups with patent filings. According to EPO data, startups with patent filings significantly outperform non-patenting counterparts in funding intensity, investment activity and job creation, highlighting the economic importance of intellectual property.

The launch comes as Europe seeks to strengthen technological sovereignty and reduce strategic dependencies in key sectors. By providing detailed patent intelligence and innovation data, the EPO aims to help decision makers identify emerging opportunities and support the development of Europe’s next generation of technology leaders.

Why does it matter?

The Data Desk gives policymakers, investors and businesses easier access to strategic innovation intelligence at a time when Europe is prioritising technological sovereignty.

Better visibility into patent activity, startup performance and emerging technologies could improve investment decisions, strengthen competitiveness and support European leadership in areas such as AI, semiconductors, quantum computing and cybersecurity.

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EPO and Jio discuss AI, 5G and 6G patent strategy

The European Patent Office held a high-level online meeting with Jio Platforms to discuss patent quality, innovation and developments in the European patent system.

The meeting formed part of the EPO’s 2026 Quality Action Plan and wider user engagement with companies using the European patent system. Jio Platforms, India’s largest mobile network operator, is described by the EPO as an increasingly active user of the system.

Discussions covered AI, 5G, future 6G technologies, satellite communications and automation. Jio highlighted Europe’s growing importance for its patent strategy and outlined a global patent portfolio covering India, Europe, the United States and other jurisdictions.

A significant part of the exchange focused on standards and standard-essential patents. The EPO said the discussion explored developments in 5G and future 6G standards, as well as the Office’s recent work and research in the field.

The meeting also covered the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court. Jio does not currently use the Unitary Patent system, but the company expressed interest in assessing it as a possible option for future European patent protection.

Why does it matter?

The meeting highlights how patent strategy is becoming part of global competition in AI, 5G, 6G and digital infrastructure. For companies active in next-generation networks, standard-essential patents can shape market access, licensing power and participation in technical standards. Jio’s engagement with the EPO also reflects the growing internationalisation of Indian technology firms as they seek protection for innovation in European markets.

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Swiss parliament weighs AI apps in media copyright bill

Swiss lawmakers want the government to examine whether AI applications should be covered by a media copyright bill that would require online services to compensate publishers for displaying extracts from newspaper articles.

The Swiss Senate unanimously referred the media copyright bill and related rights bill back to the federal government on Wednesday. The House of Representatives had already approved the request in March by 157 votes to 29, with two abstentions, making the decision final.

The media copyright bill aims to require online platforms, including search engines and social media services, to pay copyright fees for displaying extracts of journalistic content. Swiss lawmakers now want the government to consider how AI applications should be treated under the proposal.

The federal government has been asked to examine how AI is changing the way platforms and search engines operate and what those changes mean for the proposed legislation. The review could determine whether AI services that display or reuse extracts from news articles should also compensate publishers.

Current Swiss rules do not provide specific protection for snippets and thumbnails, including short text extracts or images produced as part of journalistic work. As a result, online services have so far not paid remuneration to media companies for using this type of content.

The renewed review reflects growing concern that AI tools could reshape how users access news and how journalistic material is reused online. It also expands an existing debate over search engines, social media platforms and publisher compensation to include AI-powered services.

Why does it matter?

The review reflects growing international concern about how AI systems use and display journalistic content. As AI-powered search tools, chatbots and assistants increasingly become gateways to information, policymakers are questioning whether existing copyright frameworks adequately compensate publishers whose content helps power these services.

The Swiss debate also highlights a broader challenge facing governments worldwide: balancing innovation in AI with the economic sustainability of journalism. Decisions on whether AI services should pay for snippets, summaries or other reused content could influence future relationships between publishers, digital platforms and AI developers.

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Yale proposal targets transparency gap in AI development

Researchers at Yale’s Digital Ethics Center have proposed a copyleft-style licensing framework intended to increase transparency around generative AI models trained on open-source software.

The proposal, called the Contextual Copyleft AI License, would adapt principles from free and open-source software licensing to generative AI. Under the model, AI systems trained on open-source code could be treated as derivative works, requiring developers to make key information about model architecture and training data freely available.

The researchers argue that such a framework could give open-source software developers more control over how their code is used in AI development. They also say it could encourage more genuinely open AI models and reduce ‘open washing’, where systems are marketed as open despite keeping important components closed.

The proposal comes amid wider debates over AI transparency, copyright and the role of open-source software in the development of generative AI. The researchers conclude that the approach may be legally feasible under current copyright law, provided that training AI models on open-source software is not treated as fair use.

The study also notes that open generative AI models can create risks because they may be used to generate deceptive or harmful content. The researchers argue that licensing approaches need to work alongside regulatory safeguards, including rules designed to limit manipulative or deceptive uses of AI.

Why does it matter?

The proposal addresses a central transparency gap in AI development: many generative AI systems rely on open-source software but do not disclose enough about how that software is used, which data is involved, or how the resulting models work. If similar licensing approaches gained traction, they could reshape debates over AI openness, developer rights, copyright and accountability. The proposal also shows how open-source governance tools are being reconsidered for AI systems whose risks and dependencies differ from traditional software.

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G7 digital and technology ministers agree on priorities on AI, resilience and online child safety

G7 digital and technology ministers have agreed on priorities covering secure AI, AI openness, digital sector resilience and online safety for minors following a meeting in Paris under France’s presidency. Ministers said digital technologies are central to innovation, productivity and competitiveness, while also creating new challenges for users, businesses and service providers.

The statement reaffirmed support for Data Free Flow with Trust, while highlighting privacy, data protection, intellectual property and security considerations. Ministers also welcomed G7 work on semiconductors, digital standards, quantum technologies, and competition in AI inputs, including computing power, data, energy, and talent.

On AI, ministers said secure, responsible and trustworthy systems are needed to maintain public trust and support adoption. They welcomed the revised Hiroshima AI Process Reporting Framework and said France’s presidency would start discussions with stakeholders, the OECD, and members of the International Network for Advanced AI Measurement, Evaluation and Science to improve comparability between AI risk assessment frameworks.

The G7 also backed a Vision on AI Openness, intended to clarify terminology and support access to open-source and open-weight AI approaches. Ministers said AI openness can help diffuse AI, support research collaboration, and contribute to innovation and economic growth, while clearer language can reduce ambiguity and support trust.

Ministers also supported a G7 SME AI Readiness Tool, developed with the OECD and in cooperation with the G7 Social-Employment working group. The tool is expected to be made available through the G7 AI Training Hub to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises assess their digital and AI readiness, improve AI literacy and lower adoption barriers.

The statement also addresses digital and AI sector resilience, resource efficiency and growing pressure on energy grids and digital infrastructure. On child online safety, ministers supported a Common G7 Set of Principles for a safe and secure digital space for minors, covering digital literacy, AI education, risk mitigation by digital service providers, support for parents and guardians, and protection against online harms.

Why does it matter?

The G7 statement reflects growing international coordination around AI governance, digital resilience and online child safety. By addressing AI risk assessment, openness, SME adoption and digital infrastructure pressures in one framework, ministers are linking technological innovation with trust, security and economic competitiveness.

The agreement also signals that online safety for minors is becoming a core part of digital policy cooperation among major economies, particularly as AI systems and digital platforms play a larger role in children’s online experiences.

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ITU puts AI and creativity in focus at Geneva summit

The International Telecommunication Union will place AI and digital creativity in the spotlight during the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, where artists, musicians, filmmakers, and technologists will discuss how AI is reshaping creative industries.

The summit’s AI Creativity and Culture track will explore questions around ownership, authenticity, copyright, and the growing role of generative AI in artistic production. Sessions will examine how AI tools are affecting media, music, publishing, design, fashion, entertainment, journalism, and creative labour.

High-profile participants include John Legend, who will discuss AI and music with Universal Music Group’s Michael Nash, and will.i.am, who will focus on skills, education, and AI. The programme will also feature AI-driven art installations, robotic musical performances, and screenings during the AI for Good Film Festival.

The festival, now in its second year, has received more than 1,200 contest submissions, with selected films to be shown during the summit. The programme will also include the third edition of Canvas of the Future, ITU’s AI-powered art contest, focused on how AI is shaping the future of education and work.

Organised by ITU with partners across the UN system and co-convened with Switzerland, AI for Good is intended to demonstrate AI solutions for people, planet, and prosperity. The 2026 creative programme reflects growing international attention to how AI is changing cultural production, intellectual property, and the economics of creative work.

Why does it matter?

The programme shows how AI governance debates are expanding beyond safety, productivity, and infrastructure into culture, copyright, ownership, and creative labour. By bringing together artists, entertainment companies, technologists, and UN actors in a single forum, AI for Good is treating AI creativity as both an economic opportunity and a policy challenge.

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European Patent Office expands AI use in patent examination

The European Patent Office (EPO) has presented new AI-related initiatives aimed at supporting quality and efficiency within the European patent system during the latest meeting of the SACEPO Working Party on Quality.

The online gathering brought together 71 representatives from around the world to discuss examination standards, AI integration and long-term improvements to patent procedures. EPO President António Campinos described quality as a central element of the European patent system during the meeting.

The EPO also provided updates on its Quality Action Plan 2026, including examiner training, access to prior-art information, and examination harmonisation efforts. Officials also discussed insights drawn from quality audits and decisions issued by the Boards of Appeal.

Participants discussed the increasing use of AI-supported tools within the patent-granting process. According to the EPO, AI systems are being developed to assist with tasks including pre-search procedures, drafting support, legal queries, and preparation of oral proceedings documentation.

Participants also highlighted the importance of confidentiality, accountability, and human oversight in AI-supported systems.

The EPO stated that final patent examination decisions remain under human responsibility in line with its human-centric AI policy. The meeting additionally examined broader adoption of AI tools across patent and legal sector workflows, quality assurance and secure handling of sensitive intellectual property information.

Why does it matter?

The integration of AI into patent examination highlights how intellectual property systems are adapting to growing technological complexity and increasing volumes of patent applications worldwide. Faster and more consistent examination processes could strengthen innovation ecosystems across Europe, particularly in AI, semiconductors, biotechnology and digital industries.

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Spotify verification badges target AI slop and voice impersonation

Spotify has introduced new verification badges for podcast shows and reinforced its impersonation policies as AI tools make it easier to clone voices, imitate creators and produce misleading audio content.

The new Verified by Spotify badge will appear on selected podcast show pages and in search results. According to Spotify, the badge identifies a show as the official presence of a creator, publisher or brand, helping listeners understand who they are hearing and giving creators a clearer way to establish authenticity on the platform.

Also, Spotify said the badge will begin appearing on select shows and expand over the coming months. Eligibility will depend on factors including sustained listener activity, good standing under Spotify’s platform policies and verified audience authenticity, including safeguards against fraudulent or bot-driven listenership.

Spotify is introducing podcast verification badges and stronger impersonation rules as AI slop expands into audio, voice cloning and creator identity. — Image via Magnific

The company also reaffirmed that its policies prohibit unauthorised impersonation, including through AI voice cloning. Spotify said it will remove podcast shows and content that impersonate another creator or host’s likeness without permission, whether through AI-generated voices or other methods.

However, the move shows how concerns over AI slop are expanding from low-quality visual and written content into audio and identity. In podcasting, the issue is not only whether synthetic content is poor quality, but whether listeners can tell when a voice, host or show is authentic.

Spotify framed the update as part of a broader effort to protect creators and give listeners clearer signals about who they are hearing. The company said podcasting depends on trust between creators and audiences, and that authenticity is becoming more complex as AI lowers the barrier to producing and distributing audio content.

Why does it matter?

AI slop is moving beyond visual clutter and into identity. In podcasting, synthetic voices and impersonation can directly affect the creator’s reputation, listener trust and the credibility of audio platforms. Spotify’s verification badges and impersonation rules show how platforms are beginning to respond not only with content moderation, but with identity signals, authenticity checks and stronger creator protections.

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