The Issue
AI systems are being trained on creative work--paintings, photographs, musical compositions, code repositories, research papers, written articles, design patterns, vocal performances--without creator knowledge, consent, or compensation. The outputs of these systems are then used commercially, often in direct competition with the creators whose work made the training possible.
Who Is Affected
- Visual artists and illustrators: paintings, photographs, and illustrations scraped for AI training datasets without artist knowledge or compensation
- Musicians and composers: musical compositions used in training without permission
- Writers and authors: written articles and books used to train text-generation models
- Programmers and developers: code repositories scraped for AI training without developer permission
- Researchers: research papers and educational materials used to train models without attribution
- Designers: logo designs, UI patterns, and architectural plans used to train generative design tools
- Voice artists: vocal performances used to create synthetic voices
What the Law Currently Says
What is known from the Declaration: “Existing copyright, labor, and technology laws fail to address the realities of digital creation, leaving creators without adequate protection or recourse against exploitation.” Specifically regarding AI: “Copyright law struggling with AI-generated art that mimics specific artistic styles without permission” and “Fair use doctrine unclear for AI training.”
What Save The Creators Advocates For
STC advocates for fair compensation when creative works are used to train AI systems, with clear opt-in/opt-out mechanisms that give creators control over how their work is used in machine learning.
Specific Actions We Demand
- Retroactive compensation for past training usage
- Transparent reporting of which works were used in training
- Ongoing royalty systems for AI outputs derived from creator works
Declaration Principle: Fair Compensation
“Creators deserve fair compensation for their work, including when used for AI training. The value generated by creative works should flow primarily to their creators. This isn't just about higher percentages--it's about restructuring how creative work is valued, licensed, and monetized across all platforms.”
Declaration Principle: Consent & Attribution
“Creative work should not be used without explicit consent and proper attribution. Creators have the right to determine how their work is used and shared.”
Syndication without compensation is extraction.
What Creators Can Do Right Now
What STC Is Building
- Tracking systems that follow usage and ensure fair payment flows
- Consent management systems that give creators control beyond the limits of copyright
- Opt-in/opt-out systems for creative work usage
Demand Fair Treatment of Your Creative Work
Sign the Declaration for Creators and join the movement demanding consent, compensation, and control over how your work is used.