At first glance, the issue seems technical. A guide on artificial intelligence governance, a global study on private copying: nothing that seems likely to be discussed at a bookstore. However, these two publications outline a very concrete front line for publishing.
Behind the acronyms and collective management mechanisms, a simple question keeps resurfacing: who will pay in the future for the use of texts, images, newspapers, books, and magazines, when machines make them their primary material or when private copies continue to circulate on an increasing number of devices?
The merit of the new guide published by IFRRO is to bring the debate back to its core. The document examines the entire AI chain, from the use of protected works in training phases to the generation and dissemination of produced content. Its thesis is clear: AI models rely on vast quantities of often copyright-protected works; except for applicable exceptions, their use requires prior authorization.
Furthermore, the organization argues that no exception fully covers AI training in all cases, especially in a commercial context, and that a licensing logic is the most practical way.
For publishing, the issue is no longer an abstract commentary. It touches on the heart of the value chain. Books, articles, scores, academic publications, and images are part of the informational fuel that systems need.
Therefore, the question is not only whether these collections have been digitized, but under what conditions, by whom, and for what compensation. IFRRO emphasizes the need for real transparency in training data and the effective ability of authors and rights holders to enforce their prerogatives.
It goes a step further by noting that synthetic content now presents unique challenges, whether in manipulation, misinformation, or imitations close enough to blur the boundary between inspiration, style, and reproduction.
The second document, focusing on private copying, serves as a timely reminder: old mechanisms have not disappeared just because newer technology has arrived. The global study published by CISAC, BIEM, IFRRO, and Stichting de Thuiskopie concludes that remuneration for private copying reached 1.06 billion euros worldwide in 2024.
It also highlights that these revenues have remained relatively stable for over twenty years, even as usage has shifted towards smartphones, cloud storage, and connected devices.
For books, the crucial novelty lies in the explicit integration, in this 2026 edition, of reprographic rights covering the reproduction of texts and images. The message to the sector is clear: private copying is no longer just a matter for music or audiovisual content.
It also concerns authors, journalists, visual artists, and publishers of books, newspapers, magazines, and scholarly journals. The study demonstrates the important role played by remuneration systems for private copying and reprography in supporting a vast creative ecosystem, including in the text and image sector, as emphasized by Anita Huss-Ekerhult, IFRRO’s Secretary-General and Director-General.
Going from one document to another reveals a strategic coherence. On one side, consolidating existing, modest revenues on a consumer scale but crucial for rights holders. On the other, laying the groundwork for remuneration for AI-related uses through licenses, transparency obligations, and enhanced control capacity.
Samantha Holman, IFRRO’s president, underscores this: “The publishing and creative sectors are fundamental for education, research, culture, and enlightened societies.” Turning this principle into legal, economic, and political leverage is crucial. In this battle, publishing defends not just rights but the substantive value of its content.
IFRRO (International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations) is a non-profit international organization that coordinates and promotes collective management of copyright related to the reproduction of written and visual works. It brings together organizations known as RROs (Reproduction Rights Organisations) – such as the French Center for Copyright Exploitation, responsible for collecting and redistributing royalties for various uses.
Photo credit: ActuaLitté, CC BY-SA 4.0
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