Intellectual property rights

Silent album released to challenge UK AI copyright reforms

More than 1,000 musicians have joined forces to release a silent album as part of a protest against the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright laws. The changes would allow AI companies to use artists’ work to train models without needing permission, a move critics argue would undermine creators’ rights. The silent album, titled ‘Is This What We Want?’, features empty studios and performance spaces, symbolising the potential loss of control over their work.

The changes have sparked outrage from high-profile artists such as Kate Bush, who warned that this could lead to the exploitation of musicians by tech companies. The protest album, which includes contributions from other major artists like Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa, aims to highlight the negative impact of such reforms on the livelihoods of creators.

The UK government argues that these changes will help boost the AI and creative industries, allowing them to reach their full potential. However, the controversy over copyright law is growing, with many in the music industry urging a rethink before any new regulations are finalised.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

iPhone 16e launches as Apple’s $599 budget option

Apple has unveiled the iPhone 16e, a budget-friendly smartphone priced at $599, aimed at mid-market customers in key regions such as China and India.

The launch marks Apple’s attempt to revitalise declining sales and better compete with Android rivals like Samsung and Huawei, which are also adding artificial intelligence tools to their devices.

Designed as a successor to the SE series, the iPhone 16e incorporates features closer to flagship models, including the A18 chip for AI functions powered by Apple Intelligence.

Though missing a wide-angle lens and a camera control button, the 16e sports a 48-megapixel dual-camera system, a 6.1-inch display, and Apple’s Face ID. It also introduces the C1 chip, the company’s first in-house modem for cellular connectivity.

The iPhone 16e, available only in black and white, costs $200 less than the base iPhone 16. Analysts believe it will appeal to cost-sensitive markets where upfront payments are common. Pre-orders open on February 21 across 59 countries, with shipping set to begin on 28 February.

Apple forecasts stronger sales growth as it integrates AI features into more regions, although adoption has been slow. The 16e may provide a cost-effective entry point for customers seeking Apple’s latest technology without the premium price.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Juventus gains backing from Tether

Tether, the cryptocurrency firm behind one of the world’s leading stablecoins, has invested in Juventus, Italy’s most popular football club. Holding a 5% stake valued at approximately €50 million, Tether revealed it has acquired shares gradually over recent months.

CEO Paolo Ardoino, a Juventus supporter, highlighted the firm’s desire to explore collaborative opportunities while remaining a minority investor.

Tether has expressed its willingness to cooperate with Juventus’ management and owners, aiming to enhance the club’s brand globally. Potential collaboration may include utilising Tether’s payment platform and vast user base of 400 million, particularly in emerging markets.

Ardoino noted that football clubs must adopt forward-looking strategies to connect with fans using innovative technologies.

Juventus, controlled by the Agnelli family through investment company Exor, has faced financial challenges recently, including losses nearing €200 million in the last fiscal year. Exor has denied any plans to sell its majority stake, which currently stands at 64%.

Ardoino emphasised that Tether’s goal is supportive rather than aggressive, focusing on unlocking the club’s untapped potential.

Tether remains a dominant player in the stablecoin market, with over $140 billion tokens in circulation. Despite regulatory concerns about stablecoins’ risks to financial systems, Tether’s profitability exceeded $13 billion in 2024, providing ample resources for strategic investments like its stake in Juventus.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

DeepSeek’s success drives Baidu’s plan to open-source Ernie 4.5

Baidu has announced plans to open-source its upcoming Ernie 4.5 chatbot series, citing inspiration from the success of AI firm DeepSeek. The move is aimed at encouraging greater adoption of its technology by making it more accessible.

Baidu also plans to provide premium chatbot services free of charge starting in April, with the open-source launch scheduled for June.

DeepSeek’s open-source approach, combined with its innovative R1 model, has gained widespread attention and increased adoption of foundational AI tools. Baidu CEO Robin Li highlighted the significance of this strategy in shaping the company’s decision.

He expressed confidence in the technology behind Ernie 4.5, which Baidu claims will be its most advanced model to date.

Despite advancements in AI, Baidu’s Q4 2024 results revealed a 2% revenue decline to 34.12 billion yuan, slightly ahead of expectations. Growth in the Cloud AI sector, up 26% year-on-year, partly offset a 7% drop in its online marketing business.

Weakness in China’s economy, particularly the property market, has contributed to reduced advertising demand.

Baidu handled 1.65 billion daily interactions on its Ernie platform in December, up from 600 million in August. However, its US-listed shares dropped 7% in early trading after the results.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

New Fiverr AI model offers creative control to freelancers

Freelance marketplace Fiverr is rolling out new AI tools designed to help gig workers streamline their work and maintain competitiveness. The ‘Personal AI Creation Model’ allows freelancers to train AI systems on their own work, offering clients either automated or blended content.

Freelancers retain ownership of the generated content and can set prices for its use, with the service costing $25 per month.

The tools aim to address challenges in the gig economy, where generative AI has increased competition while reducing opportunities. Fiverr highlights that the AI creation model prioritises freelancers’ control, ensuring their data is not misused.

Additionally, a ‘Personal AI Assistant’ is available to help with routine tasks and client communication, priced at $29 per month or included with Fiverr’s premium subscription.

Fiverr is also introducing a programme granting company shares to its top-performing freelancers. While the specifics remain undisclosed, the initiative reflects efforts to support gig workers in an increasingly competitive market.

As generative AI reshapes industries, Fiverr’s initiatives could help freelancers navigate the evolving landscape while enhancing their earning potential and safeguarding their creative work.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

AI copyright case could set legal precedent

A US federal judge has ruled that Ross Intelligence infringed on Thomson Reuters’ copyright by using its legal research content to train an AI platform. The decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over AI and intellectual property, as over 39 similar lawsuits progress through US courts.

Ross had argued that its use of Reuters’ Westlaw headnotes, summaries of legal decisions, was transformative, meaning it repurposed the material for a different function. However, the judge rejected this defence, ruling that Ross merely repackaged the content without adding significant new value. The company’s commercial intent also played a role in the ruling, as its AI system directly competed with Reuters’ legal research services.

The ruling could impact future AI copyright cases, particularly those involving generative AI models trained on publicly available content. While some believe it strengthens the case for content creators, others argue its scope is limited. Legal experts caution that further court decisions will be needed to define how copyright law applies to AI training in the long term.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Indian music industry joins lawsuit against OpenAI

Several of India’s leading Bollywood music labels, including T-Series, Saregama, and Sony, seek to join a lawsuit against OpenAI in New Delhi. They are concerned that the company’s AI models may have used their sound recordings without permission, potentially violating copyright laws. The legal action follows a previous lawsuit filed by Indian news agency ANI, which accused OpenAI’s ChatGPT of using content without authorisation to train its models. The music labels argue that this issue has significant implications for the global music industry.

The music companies, which represent major Indian and international music acts, claim that OpenAI’s AI systems could extract lyrics, compositions, and sound recordings from the internet without consent. T-Series, known for releasing thousands of songs annually, and Saregama, which holds a vast catalogue of iconic Indian music, are leading the charge. The Indian Music Industry (IMI), which also represents global labels like Sony Music and Warner Music, is pushing for the case to be heard in court, as the outcome could impact the future use of copyrighted content in AI training.

OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, argues that it adheres to fair-use principles by using publicly available data to build its AI models. However, the company is facing increasing legal pressure from multiple sectors worldwide, including recent lawsuits in Germany, where GEMA accused OpenAI of unlicensed use of song lyrics. OpenAI has opposed the Indian lawsuit, claiming that Indian courts do not have jurisdiction over the matter, given the company’s US base.

The next court hearing, which could shape the future of AI and copyright law in India, is scheduled for 21 February. This legal battle is gaining attention, particularly as OpenAI’s chief, Sam Altman, recently visited India to discuss the country’s plans for developing low-cost AI technology.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

AI push in China planned by Apple

Apple is preparing to introduce its AI features to iPhones in China by mid-year. Efforts include significant software adaptations and collaboration with local partners to meet the country’s unique requirements.

Teams based in China and the US are actively working to customise the Apple Intelligence platform for the region. Insiders suggest the launch could happen as early as May, provided technical and regulatory challenges are resolved.

Regulatory compliance remains a critical hurdle for Apple. The project reflects the company’s growing emphasis on localising its technology for key international markets, including China.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Chinese tech giant Tencent wins US court battle

Tencent, a leading Chinese tech giant, has won a significant copyright infringement case in a US district court. The ruling resulted in nearly $85 million in compensation after a Taiwan-based TV box firm, Unblock Tech, and its distributors were found guilty of violating copyrights on over 1,500 Tencent shows, including ‘Little Days’ and ‘Three Body Problem’.

The judgement was handed down by the US District Court for the Western District of Texas. Tencent units, including Tencent Penguin Film and Tencent Technology, brought the case against the defendants for copying, distributing, and importing the content without permission.

Neither Tencent nor Unblock Tech provided comments regarding the ruling.

Analyst Vivian Toh highlighted the challenges of addressing cross-border infringement, stating that Tencent’s success underscores its commitment to protecting intellectual property.

The win reflects the broader issue of video content piracy, which remains a persistent problem across global markets.

Tencent has also pursued similar cases in China, targeting TikTok and Douyin-owner ByteDance over unauthorised use of its content. The outcomes of those lawsuits have yet to be publicly disclosed.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

OpenAI prioritises simplicity with unified AI model strategy

OpenAI has announced plans to simplify its artificial intelligence product line by combining its o-series and GPT-series models into a unified system. CEO Sam Altman revealed the strategy in a post on X, highlighting the need for more accessible AI tools.

The decision marks a shift away from standalone releases, such as the previously unveiled o3 and o3 mini models.

The company aims to launch GPT-5 as a comprehensive AI system that incorporates the features of earlier models, addressing user concerns about complexity. Altman stressed the importance of creating tools that ‘just work’ while providing no exact timeline for the rollout.

OpenAI also plans to release GPT-4.5, codenamed ‘Orion’, as its final non-chain-of-thought model.

The announcement follows increased scrutiny over AI development costs, with competitors like China’s DeepSeek introducing more affordable alternatives. The move aligns with OpenAI’s efforts to remain competitive while addressing usability issues.

By streamlining its offerings, OpenAI hopes to deliver systems capable of handling diverse tasks and leveraging available tools seamlessly. The new roadmap reflects a broader industry trend towards efficiency and user-centric design.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.