Copyright owners may get right to opt out of AI training use

The Malaysian government is exploring the idea of granting copyright holders the ability to exclude their works from being utilized in artificial intelligence (AI) training processes, as the nation evaluates its copyright legislation in response to advancing technology. Yusnieza Syarmila Yusoff, the director-general of the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation, disclosed that the opt-out provision is among the significant elements under consideration during the review process.

Speaking at a media forum addressing ownership and accountability in AI, media, and intellectual property, Yusoff clarified that MyIPO has conducted stakeholder discussions to assess the consequences of tech companies employing copyrighted works as data inputs for AI systems and content generation. The review encompasses two primary aspects of AI-related copyright concerns: the utilization of works as training data and the ownership of AI-generated outputs.

The review also involves determining the scope of works permissible for data mining, encompassing the categorization, purposes, and limitations on the quantity of content that can be accessed. Yusoff emphasized that any new legal framework must strike a delicate balance between safeguarding the interests of copyright owners and fostering a conducive setting for technology, trade, and investment.

The framework should be accessible, supportive of intellectual property rights, and equitable, she asserted. The ongoing review of provisions, exceptions, and limitations within the copyright law is progressing through forums and stakeholder dialogues.