More than 1,000 musicians released a silent album to protest against a new copyright law in the UK.

Kate Bush Silent Album

Kate Bush is one of many artists who participated in releasing This What We Want? The album is devoid of sound but serves an important purpose. For instance, the album is being used as a form of protest. Specifically, it is protesting against the UK government’s plan to release a new copyright law. This new law will allow artificial intelligence companies to use copyright-protected work to help develop their models.

“In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard?” said Kate Bush in a recent statement.

 

Silent Album Cover

However, the proposal does give artists a rights reservation where they can tell an AI company that their music is off-limits. However, critics have pointed out that it would be impossible for a single artist to notify thousands of AI services of this.

Ed Newton-Rex reportedly came up with the idea. Specifically, Rex is a composer and former AI executive who believes that the new law could threaten the livelihood of musicians. In addition, Rex hopes that the unusual project will bring more attention to the matter.

“The government’s proposal would hand the life’s work of the country’s musicians to AI companies, for free, letting those companies exploit musicians” said Rex in a recent statement.

The album’s track list spells out ”The British Government Must Not Legalise Music Theft To Benefit AI Companies,” with more than 1,000 artists credited as writers.

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Published by HOLR Magazine

Image Credit: @katebushmusic Instagram