The union ALMA, the main entity representing screenwriters in Spain, has issued a statement on the recent update of Royal Decree 1435/1985, focused on the Artist's Statute and especially on article 13, which regulates the use of generative artificial intelligence in artistic contracts. The organization acknowledges that the rule is not perfect, but considers it a positive step in a legislative framework that had not been revised since 1985, in full transformation of the audiovisual industry
Advances in representativeness
ALMA underlines the importance of the third additional provision, which creates a commission to study representativeness in the artistic sector. The measure will allow screenwriters, a group marked by the temporality of their contracts, to participate in the negotiation of their rights both as employees and as self-employed workers, a point that the union considers key to its representation work.
Article 13 and artificial intelligence
Regarding **Article 13**, which regulates generative AI for content creation, ALMA acknowledges that it protects certain interests of screenwriters, but warns that the **wording leaves relevant issues unresolved**, such as the use of AI to generate "unrecognizable new content." The rule requires that any generated content respect the **boundaries of the contract and the work**, and guarantees that **the use of AI does not replace the artist**. The union will continue to submit **contributions within the period for objections** to reinforce these protections
Balance sheet
Taken together, ALMA considers the update of the Royal Decree to be a good regulation that addresses fundamental issues, from protection against violence and harassment, the coordination of intimacy, and the regulation of artistic work by minors, to the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. However, it insists on the need for wording adjustments to guarantee the maximum protection of screenwriters in the audiovisual industry