Publishers’ Licensing Services (PLS) is seeking publisher feedback on a consultation to introduce Workplace AI rights into CLA Education licensing. The proposed permissions would enable staff and students to use licensed content with AI tools to support teaching, learning, research and administration. They do not cover the use of copyrighted works to train or fine-tune AI models. PLS is also consulting on whether publishers should participate in these rights by default. 

In 2024 PLS consulted on the introduction of Workplace AI permissions into existing CLA Business and Public Sector licences. The permissions covered the making of copies to use as prompts in generative AI tools.  

Following publisher approval and successful rollout of the new permissions in May 2025, the first distribution of revenues was made to publishers in March 2026.  

Since then, PLS has been working with CLA to explore how a similar approach could be applied within the education sector. Over the past year, CLA has engaged extensively with schools, colleges and universities to identify how its Education and Higher Education licences should evolve to reflect the rapid adoption and use of generative AI (GAI) tools. 

Actions required: 

1. Read the consultation paper (You must be logged in to your PLS Collect account to access the paper) 

1. Complete the consultation survey  

Please provide your feedback on the proposal by completing the short consultation survey by no later than Friday 11th September. Make sure you have read the consultation paper before completing the survey. 

If you have specific questions or feedback in addition to the survey or need access to PLS Collect, please contact Amy Ellis, PLS Head of Rights and Licensing, at a.ellis@pls.org.uk. 

PLS will use publisher input from the consultation in discussions with CLA to help shape the final version of the licence.