29 April 2025
CILIP Copyright Conference 22 May 2025
By Naomi Korn, CEO
The CILIP Copyright Conference, run in association with Naomi Korn Associates, and is always a highlight of the year for me. Tailored for information professionals, librarians, copyright leads, educators, and anyone managing the use of copyrighted materials, it offers an ideal annual pit-stop to explore the critical copyright and licensing issues affecting our sector.
Staying up to date with copyright developments is essential for librarians and information professionals. As custodians of knowledge and access, we play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with evolving copyright laws, balancing the interests of institutions, rights holders, and users. By keeping pace with legal developments and changes in the digital landscape, we support new ways of creating, sharing, and utilising information. We also act as advocates and leaders at the intersection of law, technology, and creativity, where the answer is often, “it depends”! Being able to guide users in the responsible use of resources, navigate fair dealing and licensing frameworks, and influence policy ensures we uphold the principles of equitable access and intellectual freedom.
This year, the conference welcomes an outstanding lineup of speakers who bring impressive expertise to this dynamic space. Our keynote will be delivered by Professor Ryan Abbott, Professor of Law and Health Sciences at the University of Sussex and author of The Reasonable Robot: Artificial Intelligence and the Law. His work spans law, technology, health law, and intellectual property. Other confirmed speakers include: Margaret Haig, Head of Copyright Delivery at the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO); Caitlin Mannion, Head of Reference and Instruction Services, NYU Shanghai; Catherine Stephen, Head of Renewals & Growth: Education and Public Sector at the CLA; Debbie McDonnell, IP Manager, British Council, Cristina Rusu, Copyright and Licensing Manager, Loughborough University; Agnes Kozlowska, Head of Knowledge and Information Management, National Institute of Biological Standards and Control; Diane Crawford-Leighton, Copyright Librarian, University of Exeter and myself, where I’ll provide an update on my PhD research into orphan works and Brexit. Additional speakers from the sector will be announced soon.
AI is transforming how we access, use, and process information at an unprecedented pace, offering exciting opportunities—but also posing serious copyright challenges. Large language models rely on vast datasets, often including copyrighted content, to function. This raises critical concerns: Are creators being credited or compensated? Is this use ethical and legal? Could AI disrupt the delicate copyright ecosystem? And how might regulations evolve to respond?
For information professionals, these questions are especially relevant. As champions of access and responsible use, we must navigate a complex balance between enabling innovation and complying with legislation and licensing agreements. In an AI-driven world, where technological change outpaces legal clarity, our roles become even more vital. The key lies in harnessing AI’s potential while upholding academic integrity, ethical standards, and copyright compliance. No one has all the answers yet, but staying informed, connected, and involved in professional networks like this conference is essential.
The UK Government’s Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Consultation, published on 17 December 2024, closing on 25 February 2025, seeks to shape a copyright framework that supports AI while protecting the creative industries. One proposal is to broaden the existing text and data mining exception to permit any use, like a previous proposal by the Conservative Government, with an opt-out for rights holders. If the Government pursues an extended exception, understanding its practical implications will be critical. How would this work in real-world settings? What mechanisms would be in place to ensure fair treatment of rights holders? Legislative changes in this area could significantly impact the creative industries, education, research, and business. Information professionals will be central to guiding users on how to embrace AI responsibly and legally. While the consultation may have closed, AI’s continued evolution will mean ongoing discussions and new tensions with existing regulatory frameworks. The CILIP Copyright Conference offers an essential platform to engage with these issues, learn from experts, and contribute meaningfully to future consultations and policy developments. These are exactly the kinds of questions that the CILIP Copyright Conference will explore, providing a space to discuss and respond thoughtfully and we hope to hear from Margaret Haig at the UK IPO about the consultation’s outcome and potential next steps.
Beyond AI, the conference will explore a range of topics relevant to the digital-first shift many organisations are making. Delegates will hear about best practices in copyright education, orphan works, and licensing developments through expert presentations, lightning talks, panels, and Q&A sessions. These conversations are critical as we adapt to a rapidly evolving digital world. The conference remains one of the most important forums to connect, share, and collaborate on all things copyright. It’s an exciting time to be part of this conversation, and I’m proud to chair the event again.
Now with less than a month to go before the conference, I look forward to seeing you there! Book your ticket now: https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/CopyrightConf25