European Commission opens copyright consultation on AI use of protected works and piracy

What the Commission launched

The European Commission opened a targeted consultation on 29 September 2026 to gather views on challenges and options for possible future measures on the impact of technology, including artificial intelligence, on copyright protection. The Commission says the EU already has a robust copyright framework, but that new challenges and market developments raise the question of whether it should be reinforced.

The consultation has four topics: the use of copyright-protected content in artificial intelligence, the fight against online piracy of content such as live events, the single equitable remuneration right of music performers and producers, and copyright in scientific research. Responses go through an EUSurvey questionnaire.

Who is asked to respond

The Commission invites a wide group: copyright and related rights holders, generative AI providers and other actors in the AI value chain, intermediaries, collective management organisations, sports and live event organisers, research organisations, national authorities, consumer organisations and NGOs. The original deadline was 3 November 2026. The Commission's page now gives 10 November 2026 after an extension.

The consultation follows a call for evidence that the Commission opened earlier in 2026. That call asked how the 2019 Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market has worked and whether a targeted legislative initiative on copyright is needed. It also asked about the challenges generative AI raises for licensing and enforcing rights, and it was open until 25 June. The review behind it asks whether the directive made it easier to use protected content online, improved licensing practices and fostered a fairer copyright marketplace. The Commission says the new consultation builds on the replies to that call and on earlier studies and assessments.

Why it matters for AI developers

AI training in the EU currently relies on the text and data mining exceptions in Articles 3 and 4 of the 2019 directive. Article 4 lets rightholders reserve their works, for example by machine-readable means online. The directive itself provides for a Commission review no sooner than 7 June 2026, and this consultation is part of that period. A targeted legislative initiative could change how opt-outs, licensing or remuneration work for AI training. The announcement does not say what measures the Commission prefers, and no measures have been proposed yet.

What to watch next

After 10 November the Commission will analyse the replies alongside an external study on the 2019 directive. A legislative proposal, if one follows, has no date in the announcement. EU and US copyright developments on AI are collected under AI Policy & Regulation.

Questions people ask

What is the EU copyright consultation about?

It asks whether EU copyright rules need new measures on four topics: copyright-protected content in AI, online piracy of live events, music performers' and producers' remuneration, and copyright in scientific research.

When does the consultation close?

On 10 November 2026, after the Commission extended the original 3 November 2026 deadline.

Can AI companies respond?

Yes. The Commission explicitly invites generative AI providers and other actors in the AI value chain, along with rightholders and other groups.

Sources

1. Commission seeks feedback on challenges and way forward in the area of the effect of technology on copyright (European Commission, 29 Sep 2026)
2. Commission seeks views on review of EU copyright rules (European Commission, 18 May 2026)
3. Directive (EU) 2019/790 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market (EUR-Lex, 17 Apr 2019)