Elton John has declared war on the UK government’s AI scraping bill, calling it a criminal betrayal of artists and warning of possible legal retaliation.
At a Glance
- Elton John condemned UK’s AI copyright bill as “thievery on a high scale”
- Labour-led Commons scrapped Lords’ protections requiring artist consent
- 400+ artists, including Paul McCartney, signed a protest letter to the PM
- Elton threatens legal action to defend artist rights against AI exploitation
- Critics accuse the government of favoring Big Tech over British creatives
A Creative Uprising Begins
Elton John isn’t holding back. The music legend has slammed the UK government for greenlighting a law that would allow AI systems to train on copyrighted content without compensating creators. “You’re committing theft, thievery on a high scale,” he said during a blistering statement, denouncing the policy as a direct assault on artistic legacy.
The controversial measure, buried in the Data (Use and Access) Bill, was passed after Labour MPs in the Commons dismissed House of Lords amendments requiring artist consent. That decision triggered an outpouring of rage from musicians and authors alike.
Watch: Elton John Speaks Out on Copyright Injustice
McCartney, Musicians Join the Chorus
In a show of solidarity, over 400 artists—including Beatles icon Paul McCartney—have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging the government to abandon its reckless trajectory. The group demands clear consent rules and copyright safeguards before allowing AI models to scrape and monetize creative works.
Elton warned that this moment could decide the future for young artists: “The government is robbing future generations of their rights and their value. Wise up,” he said, labeling ministers “absolute losers” for ignoring protections championed in the Lords.
Legal Clash on the Horizon?
Elton has not ruled out legal action, hinting that a courtroom battle may be necessary to stop the exploitation. His remarks follow growing concern about the influence of Big Tech on Labour policymaking. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has come under fire for his alleged ties to tech firms that stand to profit from unchecked AI access to copyrighted material.
The fight is fast becoming a cultural flashpoint, pitting artists against lawmakers accused of selling out Britain’s creative backbone. For Elton, this is about more than royalties—it’s about the dignity of art in an era of digital erosion.
With the battle lines drawn, UK creatives may soon have their day in court. If Elton has his way, AI won’t be training on stolen songs without a fight.
