Pioneering copyright licence mitigates AI risk flying under the radar
June 24, 2025
Copyright Agency unveils new licence offering legal protection for businesses using news in AI.
As businesses embrace AI tools like ChatGPT and CoPilot to streamline reporting, analysis and content creation, many are unknowingly using news content in ways that could breach copyright laws.
In response, Copyright Agency has launched a new licensing solution incorporating Generative AI use, giving businesses a clear and legal way to use Australian newspaper articles in AI prompts, and share the content they generate internally or on public platforms such as websites and social media.
“We’re proud to provide a solution that protects both Australian creators and the businesses relying on their content,” said Josephine Johnston, Copyright Agency CEO. “This new licensing solution enables businesses to use GenAI tools responsibly while ensuring that the journalism they depend on continues to be funded through fair licensing. Copyright compliance doesn’t just manage legal risk, it sustains the publishing ecosystem.”
Research shows that more than half of white-collar workers use GenAI tools, and many already copy or upload news articles into prompts. However, most are unaware that this requires a licence under copyright law. The fit for purpose licence was developed in consultation with Australian news publishers, and includes rights to content from ACM, NewsCorp, Nine and West Australian Newspapers.
Tony Kendall, Managing Director of ACM said: “Our journalists report on the issues that shape local and regional communities – from business, infrastructure and agriculture to politics, education and public policy. This new licensing solution ensures that as AI becomes part of everyday work practices, the value of professionally sourced journalism is recognised and respected. It’s a meaningful step towards supporting both innovation and the sustainability of Australian news media.”
The GenAI licence extension enables businesses to:
- Use Australian news publishers’ content as prompts in GenAI tools for summarising, reporting or analysis
- Share AI-generated content internally or on websites and social media
- Have peace of mind that their company is working within copyright law
Copyright Agency distributes licence fees back to writers and publishers, helping ensure that journalism remains a strong and reliable source of information for Australian communities.
Getting a licence is easy. Contact Copyright Agency for more information.