They Proved It Works.
We Made It Better.

CLA generated £1.5 billion in content licensing revenue over 40 years. copyright.sh does the same thing in real-time, globally, without the bureaucracy.

The Old System vs The New System

Traditional licensing agencies prove content licensing works at massive scale. We just removed the red tape and made it global.

£1.5B

CLA licensing revenue over 40 years

200K+

Authors & publishers paid by CLA

40K+

Organizations using CLA licenses

8M+

Publications in CLA database

Nick Clegg's "Impossible" Already Exists

Meta's ex-exec claimed paying creators isn't scalable. CLA has been doing it for decades and jus added AI licensing in May 2025.

Nick Clegg's Claim

"I just don't know how you go around, asking everyone first. I just don't see how that would work. You would basically kill the AI industry overnight."

CLA's Reality Check

We've been "going around asking everyone" for 40 years:

  • £1.5 billion in licensing revenue distributed
  • 200,000+ creators paid fairly
  • 40,000+ organizations complying with copyright
  • Just added "workplace GAI permissions" in May 2025

Side-by-Side Comparison

Both systems work. One is faster, global, and puts creators in control.

Feature
CLA (Traditional)
copyright.sh (Revolutionary)
Geographic Coverage
UK only + 40 international agreements
Licensing Model
Annual blanket licenses
Payment Speed
Annual distributions
Setup Time
Complex applications & negotiations
Intermediaries
Multiple organizations (ALCS, PLS, DACS, PICSEL)
Rate Setting
Committee negotiations
Usage Tracking
Self-reported by licensees
AI Licensing
Just added May 2025
Regulation
Government regulated
Individual Creator Access
Must join member organizations

The Evolution of Content Licensing

From bureaucratic institutions to direct creator empowerment

1983

CLA Founded

Traditional collective licensing begins in the UK. Complex institutional framework established.

1983-2025

40 Years of Growth

CLA distributes £1.5 billion to creators through institutional licensing. Proves the model works at scale.

May 2025

CLA Adds AI Licensing

"Workplace GAI permissions" added to all business licenses. Traditional licensing finally acknowledges AI.

2025

copyright.sh Launches

Direct creator licensing without bureaucracy. Real-time payments, global coverage, market-driven rates.

Why This Matters

CLA demolished every excuse AI companies have been making

❌ "Not Scalable"

CLA manages 8 million publications and 40,000 organizations. If that's not scalable, what is?

❌ "Too Complex"

CLA has been doing complex licensing for 40 years. We just made it simple with APIs and automation.

❌ "Would Kill Industry"

CLA's customers include major corporations and educational institutions. They're all thriving while paying creators.

❌ "Impossible to Track"

CLA tracks usage across millions of documents. HMAC signatures make it even more precise for AI.

Skip the 40-Year Wait

CLA took four decades to build institutional licensing. copyright.sh brings you direct creator payments in 5 minutes.

Start Getting Paid Today

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