Musicbusinessworldwide.com
France’s cultural sector is ramping up pressure on lawmakers to pass a landmark bill that could reshape how artificial intelligence companies handle copyrighted material. A coalition of 81 organizations, spanning music, film, publishing and media, has urged the country’s National Assembly to fast-track debate on the proposed “Darcos law,” a measure designed to strengthen protections for creators in the AI era.
The legislation, introduced by Senator Laure Darcos and already approved by the Senate, would flip a key legal assumption in copyright disputes. Instead of requiring artists and rights holders to prove their work was used to train AI systems, companies developing those systems would need to demonstrate that they did not rely on protected material.
For the music industry, the stakes are high. Major French organizations, including SACEM and SNEP, have joined the call, arguing that current AI practices risk undermining entire creative ecosystems. In a joint statement, the coalition warned against allowing a new tech-driven economy to be built on what it views as widespread, unauthorized use of existing works.
Supporters say the bill would bring clarity and accountability, aligning French law more closely with emerging European standards on AI transparency. It would also rebalance negotiations between tech firms and rights holders, potentially forcing AI developers to adopt clearer licensing frameworks.
The push comes amid growing tension across Europe and beyond. Policymakers are grappling with how to regulate generative AI without stifling innovation, while artists and publishers demand compensation and consent for the use of their work. Similar debates are playing out at the EU level and in markets like the U.K. and the United States, where lawsuits and policy reversals have highlighted the issue’s urgency.
With more than 25,000 creatives backing the proposal, pressure is mounting on France’s National Assembly to act. If passed, the Darcos law could set a powerful precedent, one that shifts the burden of proof in favor of creators and forces AI companies to rethink how they build their models.
About the Author
