The world of AI content licensing is being shaped right now, but not everyone has a seat at the table.
That's the central challenge I'll be exploring at the Frankfurt Book Fair next week, where I'm joining a panel hosted by the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) called "Licensing Accelerates Responsible AI: Seizing Opportunities in Uncertain Times." Alongside Catriona Stevenson from the Publishers Association and Mark Walford from Sage Publishing, we'll discuss some of the most pressing questions facing our industry. The panel will be moderated by CCC Managing Director Roy Kaufman.
Are tech companies and publishers natural enemies, or can they actually work together? And if they can partner, in what context does that make sense?
From access to purpose
The licensing landscape has fundamentally shifted. It used to be simpler: platforms licensed access to written content. Now, AI content licensing isn't just about access. It's about allowing someone to use content for a particular purpose, whether that's training a chatbot, powering a research tool, or something we haven't even imagined yet.
This evolution brings both opportunity and uncertainty. And that uncertainty affects different publishers in different ways.
The future shouldn't be defined solely by whoever has the right lawyers or the right connections.
The voice gap
The reality is straightforward: While headlines focus on major publishers negotiating directly with tech companies, thousands of independent content creators and small publishers are left wondering about their place in this new ecosystem. They produce original, valuable insights across countless websites, but they don't necessarily have dozens of lawyers on retainer or a contact list filled with Silicon Valley insiders.
At Newstex, our focus has always been on helping original voices flow between audiences and platforms where they may not naturally reach. That mission is even more relevant in the context of AI content licensing. The future shouldn't be defined solely by whoever has the right lawyers or the right connections.
A framework for participation
CCC's Systems Training License offers one practical approach. It's a voluntary, non-exclusive collective license with clear terms and specific guidelines about what's allowed and what isn't. The goal is to reduce the complexity of ad hoc negotiations while providing value for both licensees and rightsholders.
For publishers who want to be innovative and flexible, it offers a pathway to participate in AI content licensing without needing to navigate every individual deal. For AI companies, it provides access to diverse, high-quality content with transparent terms.
We work with CCC because they know how to create terms that meet publishers' needs while also providing value for the licensee. They make the process more accessible for publishers of all sizes.
AI content licensing isn't just about access. It's about allowing someone to use content for a particular purpose, whether that's training a chatbot, powering a research tool, or something we haven't even imagined yet.
Adversaries or partners?
One question I'm looking forward to exploring: Are tech companies and publishers natural enemies, or can they actually work together? And if they can partner, in what context does that make sense?
The current landscape has plenty of drama. Courts are handing down rulings that are promptly appealed, and there’s a definite lack of clarity. With all that uncertainty , it’s hard to know what the legal landscape will look like when the dust settles.
Beyond the courtroom battles, there's a structural question about interests and incentives. How can AI companies, tech platforms, and publishers align in ways that create mutual value?
Any sustainable solution for AI content licensing needs to support originality, fairness, and variety in content. It needs to make participation accessible for creators regardless of their size or platform
The path forward
The panel brings together perspectives from academic publishing, independent content syndication, and publishing advocacy to share ideas and chart a way forward.
What's clear is this: Any sustainable solution for AI content licensing needs to support originality, fairness, and variety in content. It needs to make participation accessible for creators regardless of their size or platform. And it needs to recognize that original voices deserve both visibility and fair compensation.Addressing this challenge will shape how content flows through the information ecosystem for years to come..
Michael Ellis is President of Newstex. He will participate in the panel "Licensing Accelerates Responsible AI: Seizing Opportunities in Uncertain Times" at the Frankfurt Book Fair on Thursday, October 16, 15:00-15:50 CET.
About the author,
Michael Ellis
