Morning, Tuesday, 14th April 2026
Online
This conference will examine priorities for the future of the UK music industry, with discussion on AI and copyright regulation, touring and export strategies, and conditions for sustainable growth.
Delegates will assess next steps for strengthening UK competitiveness in a changing international landscape, and consider implications for rights holders, performers, and venues.
Legislation & emerging thinking on copyright
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to assess policy and regulatory options, with the final report on the use of copyright works in AI system development and the economic impact assessment expected to be published by the Government in March 2026.
Delegates will consider expected next steps under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, priorities for maintaining incentives to create alongside safe development of AI tools and lawful access to training data, and the design and purpose of the proposed Creative Content Exchange and related licensing approaches.
We expect the agenda to bring out latest thinking on the balance of rights and responsibilities between rights holders and developers, and wider implications for employment and the ethical integration of generative AI.
Recent initiatives
The broader context includes the Creative Industries Sector Plan, the Music Growth Package, and measures announced in the 2025 Spending Review and Modern Industrial Strategy. With government consulting on the green paper for the BBC’s Charter Review, delegates will also assess how the public service broadcasting ecosystem might continue to support the sector.
Sector sustainability
Delegates will assess implications of AI-generated content for streaming revenue distribution and platform practices, options for achieving frameworks for fair remuneration and transparent distribution, what consolidation might mean for independent creators accessing markets, and wider prospects for emerging artists and labels in a challenging environment.
Further sessions focus on sector sustainability. Areas for discussion include support for grassroots venues and market diversity, use of VAT and business rates levers, and fair access to distribution for independent labels. Delegates will consider practical and regulatory issues for international touring and export growth, expectations around UK-EU arrangements, the role of government in enabling access to fast-growing markets, and developments in ticketing and consumer protection.
Overview of areas for discussion:
- AI and copyright regulation:
- assessing the proposed opt-out mechanism for text and data mining - issues emerging in the Copyright and AI consultation
- latest thinking on safeguarding creators’ rights and supporting AI model development - stakeholder views on the forthcoming AI and copyright report following the Data (Use and Access) Act
- lawful access to training data and dataset transparency - approaches to auditability and provenance
- ethical principles for AI integration - proposals for safeguarding human creativity and employment with the rise of AI-generated content
- Creative Content Exchange:
- achieving clarity on the Exchange’s intended operation and voluntary nature - implications for existing licensing models
- rights holder and AI developer priorities - interaction with broader copyright and remuneration frameworks
- streaming remuneration and transparency:
- progress of the Creator Remuneration Working Group and voluntary industry codes - implications of label-led measures designed to boost earnings for UK artists
- impact of AI-generated content on revenue distribution
- addressing session musician and legacy artist payments - balancing equitable compensation with platform economics
- market consolidation and independent artists:
- latest thinking on addressing market dominance concerns in music rights and distribution - policy options for access to fair deal terms
- protecting the viability of independent labels and diversity in the marketplace - support for financially viable participation by independent artists in touring and distribution
- grassroots venue sustainability:
- priorities for the Music Growth Package in addressing rising costs - implications of business rates, VAT and insurance pressures
- options for multi-year funding models - balancing venue sustainability with environmental and community aims
- international touring and exports:
- priorities for a finalised UK-EU reset agreement and addressing administrative barriers - use of trade missions and export funding under the Trade Strategy
- options to improve access to fast-growing international markets - priorities for further government support
- ticket resale and fan protection:
- assessing outcomes from the Putting Fans First consultation - CMA work on pricing and labelling practices by major platforms
- views on possible resale price caps - wider accountability mechanisms for ticketing platforms
- skills and workforce resilience:
- music sector needs, visa reforms and creative skills investment - the Creative Industries Council Skills Audit - sector-specific training and support for emerging artists
- environmental sustainability in live performance:
- green clauses in artist contracts - adoption of sustainable touring practices - balancing logistical practicalities with decarbonisation targets
- policy, long-term competitiveness and sector growth:
- strategic use of the Music Growth Package - implications of the 2025 Spending Review and Industrial Strategy
- avenues for building on recent growth and supporting UK leadership in international music markets - use of dormant assets funding to improve youth access to music facilities
