Small creative businesses are being urged to pay close attention to copyright and intellectual property (IP) rules, after the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) warned that current regulations risk holding the sector back. The FSB, the UK’s largest organisation for small businesses and the self-employed, says rules have not kept pace with rapid advances in digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
The business group says many creative entrepreneurs, freelancers and micro-businesses struggle to understand and enforce their rights when their work is used online, reused in new formats or fed into AI tools. Contract terms, platform policies and cross-border work can all add extra uncertainty.
The warning comes as the UK Government considers how to balance innovation in AI with fair rewards for creators, including smaller firms that supply content and data. Any changes could influence how creative work is licensed, priced and monitored in future.
If you run a creative business – for example in design, marketing, software, publishing, music or film – this is a reminder to keep basic IP housekeeping in order: know what you own, keep clear records of what you create, and seek professional advice if you are unsure about contracts or how your work is being used. Policy in this area is still developing, so it is worth keeping an eye on further announcements.
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