In response to the escalating challenges surrounding data usage in artificial intelligence (AI), a consortium of technologists and web publishers has unveiled Real Simple Licensing (RSL), a protocol designed to facilitate large-scale data licensing for AI applications. This initiative emerges amidst a landscape where AI companies face numerous copyright lawsuits due to unlicensed data usage, including a notable $1.5 billion settlement by Anthropic and approximately 40 other pending cases.
Eckart Walther, co-creator of the RSS standard and a leading figure behind RSL, emphasized the necessity for machine-readable licensing agreements across the internet. He stated, We need to have machine-readable licensing agreements for the internet. That’s really what RSL solves. The protocol aims to establish a standardized system that allows web publishers to specify licensing terms for their content, thereby enabling AI companies to access and utilize data in compliance with these terms.
Technical Framework of RSL
The RSL Protocol provides a structured approach for publishers to define licensing terms for their content. By incorporating these terms into their robots.txt files in a predefined format, publishers can clearly communicate the conditions under which their data can be used. This setup simplifies the process for AI developers to identify and adhere to the specified licensing terms, promoting transparency and legal compliance in data usage.
Legal Infrastructure and Collective Licensing
Complementing the technical framework, the RSL initiative has established the RSL Collective, a collective licensing organization akin to ASCAP in the music industry or MPLC in the film sector. This entity is tasked with negotiating licensing terms and collecting royalties on behalf of content creators. By providing a centralized point of contact, the RSL Collective aims to streamline the licensing process, making it more efficient for both licensors and licensees.
Industry Adoption and Support
The RSL initiative has garnered support from a diverse array of web publishers and platforms. Notable members of the RSL Collective include Yahoo, Reddit, Medium, O’Reilly Media, Ziff Davis (owner of Mashable and CNET), Internet Brands (owner of WebMD), People Inc., and The Daily Beast. Additionally, companies such as Fastly, Quora, and Adweek have expressed support for the standard without formally joining the collective.
Implications for the AI Industry
The introduction of RSL represents a significant step toward resolving the complex issues of data licensing in the AI sector. By providing a clear and scalable framework for data usage, RSL has the potential to mitigate the risk of copyright infringement and foster a more collaborative relationship between content creators and AI developers. This initiative underscores the importance of establishing standardized practices to navigate the evolving landscape of AI and data rights.
