Sony Music warns tech companies over ‘unauthorized’ use of its content to train AI
Sony Music warns over 700 tech firms against unauthorized use of its content for AI training to protect intellectual property and artist rights.
Sony Music Group has issued warnings to over 700 tech companies and music streaming services, cautioning them against unauthorized use of its music for training AI systems. The letters indicate that Sony Music believes some companies may have already used its content without proper authorization. This move aims to safeguard the intellectual property of Sony Music and its roster of artists, which includes prominent names such as Harry Styles, Beyoncé, Adele, and Celine Dion. The letters emphasize the need for explicit permission and appropriate compensation for any use of Sony’s content in the development or commercialization of AI technologies.
Sony Music’s stance highlights the significant potential of AI, but it also underscores the importance of respecting the rights of songwriters and recording artists, including their copyrights. The company is seeking detailed accounts from the recipients regarding which songs were used to train AI algorithms, how the songs were accessed, how many copies were made, and the reasons for their existence. The recipients are given a deadline to respond, with a warning that Sony Music will enforce its copyright to the fullest extent permitted by law across all jurisdictions. This effort demonstrates Sony Music’s commitment to ensuring that technological advancements in AI do not compromise the rights and compensations due to its artists.
The issue of copyright infringement has become increasingly prevalent with the rise of generative AI. This is particularly concerning for the music industry as streaming services like Spotify encounter a surge of AI-generated music. This situation has also involved notable incidents like Drake facing backlash for deepfaking the late rapper Tupac. Legal measures are being introduced to combat this issue, exemplified by California Representative Adam Schiff’s legislation that would mandate AI firms to disclose the copyrighted songs used for AI training. Additionally, Tennessee has enacted the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act to protect artists from unauthorized use of their likeness and voice by AI technologies. These developments reflect a growing recognition of the need for legal frameworks to address the implications of AI in creative industries.