Sony Music Group (SMG), one of the world’s leading record labels, has taken a firm stance against the unauthorized use of its content by artificial intelligence (AI) companies. SMG, which represents a diverse roster of artists including Doja Cat, Billy Joel, and Lil Nas X, has sent formal letters to more than 700 AI companies and streaming platforms, demanding that they refrain from using SMG’s content to train AI models without explicit licensing agreements.
Everything you need to know:
✓ Sony Music Group sends letters to 700+ AI companies, warns against unauthorized use of content
✓ SMG demands licensing agreements, aims to protect artists’ rights and intellectual property
✓ Music industry grapples with AI-generated music; artists and leaders advocate for legislation
Sony Music is ready to crack down on AI
The letters, obtained by NBC News, encompass a broad range of content, such as audio recordings, musical compositions, lyrics, cover artwork, and metadata. While acknowledging the significant potential of AI technology, SMG emphasizes that the unauthorized use of its content deprives the company and its artists of control and proper compensation. The company asserts that such unauthorized use “conflicts with the normal exploitation of those works, unreasonably prejudices our legitimate interests, and infringes our intellectual property and other rights.”
In an online declaration, SMG underscores the importance of ensuring that songwriters’ and recording artists’ rights, including copyrights, are respected as innovation progresses. The company has requested that AI companies either confirm that they have not used SMG content without permission or provide information on how the content was used in AI training.
Concerns over AI-generated music
The music industry has been increasingly concerned about the implications of AI-generated music in recent months. The rapid advancement of generative AI tools has made it easier for individuals to scrape copyrighted content and create AI-generated music without authorization. Although regulations protecting human-made work are still evolving in the U.S., companies are proactively negotiating licensing agreements and even pursuing legal action against AI companies for training models on copyrighted materials.
Instances of AI-generated vocals have already emerged online, such as the viral song “heart on my sleeve” by an anonymous musician known as “ghostwriter,” which featured vocals resembling those of Drake and The Weeknd. The song was promptly removed from streaming services following a copyright claim by Universal Music Group. In a similar vein, Drake’s “Taylor Made Freestyle,” which incorporated an AI-generated voice of the late rapper Tupac Shakur, was taken down after Shakur’s estate threatened legal action.
Is AI legislation the key?
Industry leaders are advocating for legislation to safeguard against nonconsensual deepfakes and ensure that individuals have the right to control how their name, likeness, and voice are used. A growing number of artists are also rallying behind this cause, with over 200 signing an open letter urging AI developers, tech companies, and digital music services to pledge not to use AI in ways that undermine or replace human artistry.
As the debate surrounding AI and intellectual property rights continues to unfold, Sony Music Group’s proactive approach sets a significant precedent for the music industry. By asserting its rights and insisting on proper licensing agreements, SMG is taking a crucial step in protecting the interests of its artists and ensuring that the use of AI in music respects the creativity and hard work of human artists. This move underscores the importance of finding a balance between technological innovation and the preservation of artistic integrity in the rapidly evolving landscape of the music industry.
