European Commission Launches Consultations on the EU AI Act’s Copyright Provisions and AI Regulatory Sandboxes
The European Commission has initiated two significant stakeholder consultations under the EU AI Act, focusing on crucial aspects of copyright obligations for General Purpose AI (GPAI) providers and the establishment of AI regulatory sandboxes.
Consultation on Copyright-Related Obligations
One of the consultations, which will close on 9 January 2026, addresses the copyright-related obligations of GPAI providers as outlined in the AI Act and the GPAI Code of Practice. The goal is to gather insights on technical protocols for expressing reservations of rights against text and data mining (TDM).
Launched on 1 December 2025, this consultation seeks input on the technical feasibility and potential adoption of various TDM reservation-of-rights solutions. Stakeholders, including rightsholders, GPAI model providers, civil society organizations, and standardization bodies, are encouraged to participate.
The consultation aims to identify machine-readable and standardized protocols that can be consistently implemented across different media and sectors. By establishing a common technical approach, the Commission intends to ensure that GPAI providers can reliably detect and respect rights reservations.
Following the consultation, the Commission will publish a list of generally agreed-upon machine-readable solutions, which will be reviewed regularly, at least every two years, in accordance with updates to the GPAI Code of Practice.
Consultation on AI Regulatory Sandboxes
The second consultation, which closes on 6 January 2026, focuses on a draft implementing act for the establishment and operation of AI regulatory sandboxes. These sandboxes are designed to provide a controlled environment for businesses to test innovative AI systems under regulatory supervision.
The draft outlines common rules for the operation of these sandboxes, including participation terms and application processes. This initiative supports compliance with the AI Act, consistent with Article 57, which mandates that Member States establish at least one national AI regulatory sandbox by 2 August 2026.
Stakeholders are invited to share their perspectives on the proposed framework, including participation criteria and the scope of permitted activities within the sandbox.
The Covington team, noted for its expertise in technology regulatory, compliance, and public policy issues, stands ready to assist companies navigating these evolving regulations.
