MyIPO Studies Copyright Opt-Out for AI Training on Malaysian Works

Malaysia is studying whether to let copyright owners stop their works from being used to train artificial intelligence. Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) director general Yusnieza Syarmila Yusoff said an opt-out mechanism for data mining is among the key elements under consideration as the agency reviews the country’s copyright framework, The Edge reported.

“We are exploring the possibility of introducing provisions related to data mining that also give rights holders the choice to opt out, namely, not allowing their works to be used,” she said while speaking as a panellist at a media forum in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

MyIPO frames the problem in two parts: input, meaning how copyrighted works are used as training data, and output, meaning who owns what an AI system generates. The review also covers the scope of permitted data mining, including the types, purposes and volume limits of content that can be accessed. MyIPO has held engagement sessions with stakeholders on the implications of technology companies using copyrighted works to build AI systems and generate new content.

What it means in practice

An opt-out puts the burden on creators to say no, rather than requiring AI developers to ask permission first, a model that has drawn criticism from creative industries in other countries. Yusnieza stressed balance. “We do not want laws to be overly restrictive to the point of stifling trade, investment, and technological growth,” she said, adding that the framework must be “user-friendly, IP-friendly, and balanced”. Studies of every provision, exception and limitation are continuing before any approach is finalised.

Copyright is the latest piece of a broader governance push. The Personal Data Protection Department has opened a consultation on an AI and personal data framework, officials want safety by design for AI chatbots aimed at children, and the AI governance bill is headed to Cabinet. Local developers building models, such as YTL AI Labs with its ILMUcode platform, could be affected by any new data-mining rules.

What to watch: whether MyIPO publishes a consultation paper on the copyright changes, how an opt-out would be signalled in practice, and how the review settles who owns content produced with AI tools.