Key copyright provisions of the EU AI Act enter into force August 2, 2026, enacting the
world’s strictest rules for AI and intellectual property. The law mandates explicit prior
authorization from rights holders to use copyrighted works—text, images, music, videos—
in training generative AI models; unauthorized web scraping is now illegal.
AI providers must disclose a detailed inventory of all copyrighted works used and
maintain full licensing records. Non-compliance constitutes direct copyright infringement,
punishable by fines up to 6% of global annual revenue. EU courts have already issued
injunctions against major AI firms for unauthorized data crawling, signaling zero tolerance.
This landmark rule offers unprecedented protection for creators, publishers, and brands
worldwide. Proactive copyright registration, solid evidence retention, and strict licensing
controls are now essential to safeguard digital assets and enforce IP rights in the AI era.
