32 Following the AI and Copyright Consultation in February 2025, in March 2026 the government released a report based on the 11,000 or more responses received. The main outcome from this report was that the opt-out is no longer the preferred option of the government for data mining (only 3 percent of responses were in favour of the government proposed ‘opt out’). The Government did not comment on what their preferred option now is but this initial u-turn is a positive step for designers. In April this year, ACID held a round table event with industry leaders and legal experts to discuss the ongoing challenges faced by designers from AI and data scraping. Concerns understandably remain amongst creative communities as to the exponential growth of AI and its impact upon original creations, whilst consideration is ongoing as to legislation. ACID are keen that any legislation must achieve, as a minimum: • Transparency: this is about being transparent about what has been inputted into the AI model to create the output. • Labelling: Labelling is about making clear when AI has been used to create a product. This can be difficult to determine, as AI can be used to create an output to varying extents. • Recompense – original creators must be rewarded and paid for their work. Recent coverage on BBC Midlands and Radio 2 discussed the impact of copying on online marketplaces, and the ease with which AI is enabling this to accelerate through data scraping techniques that lift images and other copyright work from websites and social media. Last year, ACID member Vicky Yorke Designs recently shared her alarming story of data scraping to alert fellow creatives, and ACID have been in proactive talks with TEMU since February 2025 regarding unauthorised image use on their platform. So whilst the government continues mulling over their plans, we must all keep highlighting these issues and concerns amongst our design communities and media to maintain momentum and create a landscape for change. In the meantime, ACID have top tips to deter copycats – both in the real and virtual world: • Maintain excellent evidence of creation – at ACID we have an IP Databank - Keep dated source files, sketches, drafts, and project notes from idea to marketplace. • Make copying less attractive – Use watermarking on images and publish with lower resolution, embed meta data identifying the creator. ACID’s logo, Member of ACID watermarks, and warning messaging all create a deterrent message to copycats. • Register your name as a trade mark if possible –these protect your brand and are easier to enforce on marketplaces. • Monitor selectively – protect your most important assets to make IP cost effective. • If you don’t want to be copied – shout about it. Sign the ACID IP Charter and join a community that say “NO!” to copying and “YES” to IP respect, ethics, and compliance. Deterring copycats Don’t gift your designs to AI! ACID CEO Laura Newbold Breen gives practical steps to challenge copycats and deter data scraping To find out more, visit www.acid.uk.com
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