More than 400 creative leaders in the entertainment industry, including actors, writers, directors, and musicians, have signed an open letter urging the Trump administration not to roll back copyright protections for artificial intelligence companies. The signatories, who include Ben Stiller, Mark Ruffalo, and Cynthia Erivo, among others, argue that weakening copyright laws would undermine the economic and cultural strength of America’s creative industries.
The letter responds to recent submissions from OpenAI and Google, which suggest that U.S. copyright law allows AI companies to train their systems on copyrighted works without permission or compensation. The signatories claim that this could lead to the exploitation of American creativity and knowledge industries by tech giants like Google and OpenAI.
“We firmly believe that America’s global AI leadership must not come at the expense of our essential creative industries,” the letter says. “We urge the administration to uphold existing copyright frameworks to maintain the strength of America’s creative and knowledge industries, as well as American cultural influence abroad.”
The signatories point out that the proposed exemptions would benefit only tech companies like Google and OpenAI, while putting the livelihoods of creators and small businesses at risk. They argue that the current system provides a balance between creator rights and public needs, and that any changes should be made with careful consideration for the impact on all stakeholders.
The letter is seen as a significant intervention by Hollywood’s creative elite, who are concerned about the potential consequences of rolling back copyright protections. The signatories’ message is clear: the administration must prioritize the interests of American creators and innovators over those of tech giants seeking to exploit their work.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/hollywood-urges-trump-block-ai-exploit-copyrights-1236339750