Over 1,000 Musicians Launch Silent Album to Protest UK Copyright Changes
Over 1,000 British musicians have released a silent album on Spotify in protest against proposed UK copyright law changes that would allow AI companies to use their work without permission, with proceeds benefiting a musicians' charity.
Published on March 30, 2025
Over 1,000 British musicians, including Annie Lennox, Imogen Heap, and other notable artists, have released a silent album titled Is This What We Want? on Spotify. The album is a protest against proposed UK copyright law changes that would allow AI companies to use musicians’ work for model training without prior consent unless artists actively opt out.
Released on February 25, 2025, the 12 nearly silent tracks—recorded in empty studios and performance spaces—are inspired by experimental works such as John Cage’s 4'33". The project underscores the potential impact of the new law on creative control and artists' livelihoods, with all proceeds supporting a charity dedicated to both working and retired musicians.