Module catalogue: LL6074

LL6074 - AI, Copyright and Licensing Law (2026/27)

Module specification

Module approved to run in 2026/27, but may be subject to modification

Module title

AI, Copyright and Licensing Law

Module level

Honours (06)

Credit rating for module

School

Guildhall School of Business and Law

Total study hours

150

10 hours	Assessment Preparation / Delivery
104 hours	Guided independent study
36 hours	Scheduled learning & teaching activities

Assessment components

Type	Weighting	Qualifying mark	Description
Coursework	100%		Coursework

Running in 2026/27

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)

No instances running in the year

Module summary

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the creative and tech industries, from AI-generated content, songs, art, literature, video, digital tools and deepfake, to rights management and copyright enforcement. However, these developments raise key legal and ethical questions. Who owns AI-generated works? Can AI be considered an author? How should copyright law adapt to machine-created content?

This module explores the intersection of AI, copyright law and licensing, with a particular focus on the creative and tech industries. Students will examine key legal frameworks, landmark cases, and emerging regulatory approaches worldwide.

The module also looks into AI’s impact on licensing agreements, fair use, and data mining, addressing real-world challenges faced by artists, producers, and rights holders.

By engaging with case studies, policy debates, and practical licensing scenarios, students will gain a full understanding of how AI is reshaping copyright and IP law, while also developing the critical skills needed to navigate the evolving legal landscape.

ESJ Framework:

This module will give students the opportunity to choose their subject of assessment within the syllabus according to their own particular interests, in accordance with the Inclusive Assessment aims of the ESJ Framework.

This module will place students at the heart of their learning experience, allowing them to develop both personally and professionally within their chosen legal employment sector. This is in accordance with the Identity, Personalisation and Reflection aims of the ESJ Framework. AI is a rapidly growing international sector, offering diverse employability opportunities to future-ready students.

This module supports graduate opportunity and employability by giving you key knowledge of a subject which is practised within the professional legal sector; and by giving you a host of transferable skills, including research, critical thinking and communication.
Module Aims:

1. Understand the role of AI and Copyright in creative content: Explore how AI is used in production, content creation, and copyright enforcement.
2. Analyse copyright law in relation to AI: Examine the legal status of AI-generated works, the challenges of AI authorship, and existing copyright frameworks in the US, UK, EU, and beyond.
3. Evaluate licensing and rights management strategy: Investigate how AI impacts traditional licensing models, contracts, and revenue distribution.
4. Assess copyright infringement risks and defences: Explore fair use, fair dealing, moral rights, and AI-generated plagiarism concerns.
5. Apply legal and commercial knowledge to real-world cases: Analyse key copyright disputes, AI licensing agreements, and evolving business models in the creative industries.

Syllabus

Introduction to AI in the Creative and Music Industries
• Overview of AI technologies: Machine learning, generative AI, deep learning
• AI applications in music and creative industries (composition, mastering, rights management)
• Key challenges posed by AI for copyright and licensing

2. Copyright Law and AI: Foundations and Frameworks
• Copyright principles: Originality, authorship, ownership, duration
• International copyright frameworks (US, UK, EU, WIPO)
• Can AI-generated works be copyrighted?

3. AI and Authorship: Legal Challenges and Case Law
• Comparative analysis of authorship rules

4. Licensing and Rights Management for AI-Generated Content
• Types of copyright licenses (mechanical, performance, sync, digital streaming)
• AI-generated music: Ownership and licensing complexities
• Emerging business models for AI-assisted music creation

5. AI, Collective Rights Management, and Revenue Models
• Role of Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) and Collective Management Organizations (CMOs)
• How AI-generated works impact royalty collection and revenue sharing
• Licensing disputes and legal risks in automated content creation

6. Copyright Infringement and AI: Legal Risks and Defences
• When does AI-generated content infringe copyright?
• AI-generated deepfake music and unauthorized likeness use

7. Fair Use, Fair Dealing, and AI-Generated Works

8. AI, Data Mining, and Copyright Law
• Text and Data Mining (TDM) exemptions (UK, US, EU)

9. AI Regulation and Copyright Policy Debates
• Emerging global regulatory approaches (EU AI Act, US AI Executive Orders)

10. The Future of AI, Copyright, and Alternative Legal Models
• Should copyright
• law be reformed for AI-generated content?
• Alternative models: Creative Commons, open-source licensing, revenue-sharing for AI music

All these subjects pervade each of the Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

Learning & Teaching Strategy
Weekly two-hour lecture and one-hour seminar.
The lecture will be used for:
• Dissemination of knowledge through an overview of each topic with detailed guidance on appropriate aspects;
• An introduction to relevant academic literature;
• Guidance on learning strategies;
• Use of WebLearn and IT resources;
• Whole group questions and discussion.
The seminar will be used for the development of skills necessary to attain the module learning outcomes through:
• Written and oral questions/answers designed to reinforce fundamental rules, principles and cases;
• A range of step-by-step analytical exercises;
• Problem solving;
• IT tasks, such as research of cases and statutes;
• Legal writing;
• Oral presentation;
• Oral communication;
• Teamwork.

Blended Learning
All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on blackboard for use in directed private study.
Student engagement will be encouraged in both lectures and seminars through weekly use of WebLearn for access to all of the above materials.
There will be required use of the professional legal databases, especially Westlaw and Lexis Library, for legal research.

Opportunities for reflective learning/pdp
Each weekly seminar will contain space for students to reflect on what they have learnt in relation to the overall syllabus. There will be frequent feedback opportunities structured into the timetable and a range of sample answers posted onto WebLearn.

Employability
Employability strategy will aim to acquaint students with a range of employment avenues both in the legal profession and in those professions into which legal qualifications and skills are transferable.

Student’s Study Responsibilities
The need for attendance, punctuality, preparation and engagement will be emphasised with particular reference to written and IT research, problem-solving, team-work, discussion, debate and critical awareness of the subject.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

1, Demonstrate a systematic understanding of key aspects of the syllabus.

2. Demonstrate the ability critically to discuss case study problems relating to the syllabus, devising and sustaining arguments, and showing appreciation of uncertainties and ambiguities in legal principles and policy.

3. Demonstrate the ability to write a professional advice letter relating to the topics covered in the syllabus, commenting on current research and primary sources.

Bibliography