The UK government’s proposal to reform copyright laws to accommodate artificial intelligence companies has sparked significant controversy. The suggested opt-out system allows AI firms to use copyrighted material for training unless creators explicitly request otherwise, raising concerns about undermining intellectual property rights. Critics, including creators and industry leaders, argue that this system unfairly burdens creators while favoring large tech companies. They emphasize the logistical challenges and inefficiencies of opting out, which could result in widespread exploitation of creative works without proper compensation or control. Prominent figures, such as Sir Paul McCartney and Getty Images CEO Craig Peters, warn that the changes could severely harm the UK’s creative industries, which contribute over £126 billion annually to the economy. Opponents are calling for alternative approaches, such as requiring explicit licensing, to protect creators’ rights and uphold international copyright standards.
Meanwhile, workers at Acrylicos Vallejo, a leading Spanish paint manufacturer, have gone on strike, demanding higher wages, improved safety conditions, and better protocols for handling workplace harassment. The strike reflects broader labor unrest, as employees voice frustration over stagnant wages and deteriorating working conditions following the company’s acquisition by private equity firm Proa Capital. Workers report unsafe factory conditions, outdated equipment, and insufficient amenities, such as showers, despite working with hazardous materials. They also cite issues with workplace harassment and stress caused by authoritarian management practices. The union, CGT, accuses the company of neglecting both workers’ rights and safety, escalating the protest to a complete shutdown. While public support for the strike grows, Vallejo has yet to address the workers’ demands, leaving the future of the labor dispute uncertain.
Wyrmwood, the gaming furniture and accessory company, recently laid off nearly 50% of its workforce, reducing staff from 170 to 90 employees due to declining sales and order backlogs. CEO Doug Costello addressed the situation in a speech, stating that annual revenue dropped from $30 million during the pandemic to $15 million currently, while their once lengthy order backlog dwindled to just two weeks. Costello admitted his strategy for improving service to boost sales had failed, prompting the drastic cuts. The company, known for its Wyrmwood Modular Table and Kickstarter campaigns, has faced criticism for posting the speech online, eliciting sympathy for affected employees and backlash against Costello.
Modiphius Entertainment has launched Doomsong, a dark fantasy tabletop RPG set in a medieval world on the brink of a Biblical apocalypse. Players assume the roles of gravediggers navigating a haunting land plagued by undead and heretical forces. The game features innovative mechanics like character creation using a die and coin, a 300-page deluxe rulebook with intricate artwork, and an engaging combat system. Its companion volume, Lord Have Mercy Upon Us, offers a rich campaign in the cursed plaguescape, combining narrative flexibility and ominous storylines. The game appeals to fans of horror and medieval myth, blending storytelling, strategy, and moral dilemmas.
#aiart #vallejo #wyrmwood #doomsong
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