Elton John Slams UK Government Over Copyright Law Shake-Up
Elton John isn’t holding back.
In a powerful interview aired on the BBC, the music icon lashed out at the UK government, calling proposed changes to copyright law nothing short of a betrayal—especially to the next generation of artists.
“I feel incredibly let down,” he said. “This plan doesn’t just hurt people like me. It hurts the young artists who don’t have the power or money to stand up to tech giants.”
The 77-year-old music legend, known for timeless hits like Rocket Man and Tiny Dancer, was reacting to a proposed bill that would let technology companies use creative work without direct permission—unless creators actively opt out.
For Elton, that’s a deal-breaker. “This isn’t just policy. It’s theft, plain and simple,” he said. “They’re handing away people’s work to corporations.”
He emphasized that he’s not against progress or innovation—even artificial intelligence—but warned that some lines shouldn’t be crossed when it comes to creative ownership. “There’s a difference between using tools and taking what doesn’t belong to you.”
The bill in question—the Data (Use and Access) Bill—is currently under debate. While the House of Lords backed changes that would require companies to ask creators for permission first, the House of Commons recently overturned those protections.
The shift sparked outrage, not only from Elton but from hundreds of artists. In fact, earlier this year, more than 1,000 musicians, including Annie Lennox and Damon Albarn, released a silent protest album—a striking symbol of what they fear is being lost: control, voice, and credit.
Elton didn’t mince words when talking about the people behind the decision. He called the government “absolute losers” and took a swipe at Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, saying he was “a bit of a moron.”
Even Prime Minister Keir Starmer came under fire. “He says he wants balance. But this isn’t balance—it’s selling us out,” Elton said, urging the PM to “wake up and protect the people who actually create the things tech companies are profiting from.”
And this protest isn’t just about music. Writers like Kazuo Ishiguro and Michael Morpurgo joined voices with artists like Paul McCartney, Dua Lipa, and Ed Sheeran to publicly oppose the bill, calling it a massive giveaway to Silicon Valley.
A spokesperson from the Department for Science and Technology defended the legislation, claiming it would “unlock the power of data” and potentially boost the UK economy by billions.
But for many in the creative world, that promise rings hollow.
“This isn’t about the future,” Elton said. “It’s about respect—and whether artists are treated as people or just free content.”
