Hollywood Luminaries Urge President Trump to Uphold Copyright Protections Against AI Exploitation
March 18, 2025: Over 400 prominent figures from the entertainment industry, including Cate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo, and Paul McCartney, have collectively addressed President Donald Trump, urging the administration to maintain robust copyright protections in the face of advancing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
The Open Letter
In a letter addressed to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the signatories expressed concern over proposals from tech giants like OpenAI and Google, which advocate for relaxed copyright regulations to facilitate AI training on existing creative works. The celebrities argue that such measures could undermine the economic and cultural contributions of America’s creative industries.
The letter emphasizes that the arts and entertainment sector supports over 2.3 million American jobs and contributes more than $229 billion in wages annually. It warns that allowing AI companies unrestricted access to copyrighted materials without proper licensing could weaken the foundations of these industries.
Diverse Signatories
The open letter boasts a diverse array of signatories from various facets of the entertainment world. Alongside McCartney, Blanchett, and Ruffalo, notable figures such as Ava DuVernay, Taika Waititi, Ben Stiller, Bette Midler, Chris Rock, Judd Apatow, Guillermo del Toro, Ron Howard, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge have lent their support. This collective action underscores the widespread concern within the creative community regarding the potential implications of AI on intellectual property rights.
Broader Implications
The letter highlights that the issue extends beyond the entertainment industry, affecting all sectors reliant on intellectual property. Professions such as writing, publishing, photography, science, architecture, engineering, design, and software development could face challenges if AI companies are permitted to utilize copyrighted materials without proper authorization. The signatories assert that weakening copyright protections could jeopardize America’s leadership in creating and owning valuable intellectual property across various fields.
Calls for Balanced Approach
While acknowledging the importance of AI advancement, the letter calls for a balanced approach that does not compromise the rights and livelihoods of creators. The signatories advocate for AI companies to negotiate licenses for using copyrighted materials, similar to practices in other industries, ensuring that creators are fairly compensated for their work.
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Published by HOLR Magazine
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