SPUR is an industry coalition initiated by organisations that invest in the creation of original journalism. Its aims are to shape the technical and commercial environment within which IP owners can control and monitor the use of their content by generative AI applications. SPUR will work to ensure that media owners can exercise their rights and if they choose to license, ensure the transparent flow of data that will allow them to secure a fair exchange of value for use of their work across the generative AI value chain.

The founding partners are the BBC, Financial Times, Sky News, Guardian Media Group and Telegraph Media Group. We are seeking to increase this group as the project progresses and invite interested news organisations to get in touch.

Professionally-produced journalism is currently being taken from the open internet without permission or payment, to be used for AI training, fine-tuning and to ground generative AI models in real time. We recognise that better solutions to manage this activity are needed to protect the economic foundation of journalism and improve the transparency of AI output. SPUR aims to help shape technical and commercial infrastructure in ways that deliver and support efficient marketplaces where content can be licensed on fair commercial terms.

The issues that have led to the formation of SPUR equally apply to other categories of digital content. At this stage, SPUR coalition members are focused on journalistic content only, but the coalition is open to expansion  to other media sectors. 

The SPUR team is talking to a range of organisations about joining the coalition. Trade bodies can apply for affiliate membership and individual news organisations can apply for membership under our membership framework. We invite any organisations interested in joining the coalition to get in touch. 

No. The issues that SPUR is seeking to shape  are global, which means that the most effective solution will be one which works for businesses across the world.

The coalition has been 100% funded to date by the initial founders. Membership fees will provide additional funding in future. SPUR is a non-profit project funded by members.

We will move at pace. The project will announce key milestones  in phases over the coming months.

SPUR will engage extensively with the buy-side of the market to ensure our solution creates value for AI licensees. We invite any developers who may wish to engage with the coalition to contact us directly.

SPUR is not a collective licensing organisation. Its focus is developing recommended standards and defining best practice. Founders and members will retain full autonomy over their own commercial relationships.