Over 400 Hollywood stars, including Ben Stiller, Cate Blanchett, and Cynthia Erivo, have sent an open letter to the Trump administration, calling for stronger protections for copyrights in the film, music, and creative industries. The letter emphasizes the need to resist the encroachment of tech giants and artificial intelligence (AI) on intellectual property.

This appeal comes in response to President Trump's January executive order aimed at reducing "redundant government controls on AI" to bolster "American leadership in the global AI arena." The celebrities argue that weakening copyright protections would allow companies like Google and OpenAI to exploit America's creative industries, threatening what they describe as "the world's most vibrant creative economy."

The letter underscores the significant economic impact of the entertainment industry, which supports 2.3 million jobs and generates approximately $230 billion in wages annually. Beyond its economic contributions, the industry plays a vital role in maintaining America's democratic influence and international soft power.

The issue of AI's role in entertainment is not new. In 2023, a months-long strike by writers and actors brought the industry to a standstill, ultimately leading to an agreement with production companies. This agreement established strict safeguards to ensure creators' consent and compensation when their work is used in AI model training. These measures include protections for movie scripts and actors' likenesses used in computer-generated characters.

However, with Trump announcing his candidacy for president again, concerns over AI's impact on intellectual property have resurfaced. The Hollywood stars' letter highlights that this issue extends beyond entertainment, affecting America's entire intellectual property sector. They warn that allowing AI to train on all copyrighted content could have profound implications for American innovation and competitiveness.

Organizers of the initiative are continuing to collect signatures, aiming to secure stronger policy protections against AI-driven copyright infringement.

Key Points

1. Over 400 Hollywood stars have urged the Trump administration to protect film and television copyrights from AI exploitation.
2. Weakening copyright protections threatens 2.3 million jobs and America's creative economy.
3. A 2023 strike led to strict AI safeguards in the entertainment industry, ensuring creators' consent and compensation.
4. The issue impacts not only entertainment but also America's broader intellectual property sector.
5. Organizers are gathering more signatures to advocate for stronger policy measures.