Impact of AI on intellectual property
There will be a Westminster Hall debate on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on intellectual property at 2:30pm on 23 April 2025. The debate will be opened by James Frith MP.

This Library Briefing looks at the future of Channel 4.
Channel 4: A change of ownership? (816 KB , PDF)
Channel 4 is a publicly owned, non-profit organisation that invests its income back into commissioning content. It receives no public money and is funded entirely through its commercial activity.
A consultation on the future ownership model for Channel 4 ran from 6 July 2021 to 14 September 2021. Oliver Dowden, then Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said the consultation was needed because the broadcasting landscape had “changed beyond recognition” since Channel 4 launched in 1982. For example, there was increased global competition, changing audience habits, and a decline in linear advertising revenue.
The Government’s view, to be tested through the consultation, was for a change to private ownership. According to the Government, this would give Channel 4 “greater access to new strategic and investment opportunities”.
On 4 April 2022, Nadine Dorries, then Secretary of State, tweeted that Channel 4’s current ownership model was holding it back from competing against companies such as Netflix and Amazon.
The Government’s Broadcasting White Paper (PDF), published on 28 April 2022, confirmed plans to pursue a change of ownership of Channel 4. The Government’s response to the consultation (PDF) and a decision rationale and sale impact analysis were published on the same date.
The Background Briefing Notes to the Queen’s Speech of 10 May 2022 (PDF) referred to a Media Bill. This would, among other things, enable the sale of Channel 4. The Bill has not yet been introduced.
In January 2023, Michelle Donelan, then Secretary of State, announced that Channel 4 would not be privatised after reviewing the business case for its sale.
Channel 4: A change of ownership? (816 KB , PDF)
There will be a Westminster Hall debate on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on intellectual property at 2:30pm on 23 April 2025. The debate will be opened by James Frith MP.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK has applied sanctions and changed rules around visas and corporate transparency to counter Russian influence.
The Protection of Children (Digital Safety and Data Protection) Bill is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Commons on 7 March 2025.