One of the world's biggest record labels is issuing notices warning hundreds of companies not to train artificial intelligence models on its material without permission.
Sony Music Group – which owns major labels such as Columbia Records, RCA Records and Epic Records – has begun sending formal letters to more than 700 generative AI companies and streaming platforms asking them to mine text or data. Kanye, web scraping or other use is prohibited. SMG Content without express licensing agreements.
According to a copy of the letter obtained by NBC News, it covers a wide variety of content, including audio recordings, musical compositions (including lyrics), cover artwork and metadata.
In its letter, SMG said it recognizes the “significant potential and development” of AI.
“However, the unauthorized use of SMG Materials in the training, development or commercialization of AI systems deprives SMG Companies and SMG Talent of control and adequate compensation for the use of SMG Materials, contrary to normal exploitation of these works, unreasonable affect our reviews, interests, and violate our intellectual property and other rights,” he wrote.
Such activity “contradicts the normal exploitation of these works, unreasonably affects our legitimate interests, and infringes our intellectual property and other rights,” the letter said.
Asked for comment, an SMG spokesperson referred NBC News to a statement the company posted online Thursday.
“The evolution of technology has often changed the direction of the creative industries. AI will likely continue this long-standing trend,” he wrote in the post. “However, this innovation must ensure that the rights of songwriters and recording artists, including copyrights, are respected.”
The letter asks the companies to confirm that they have not used SMG material without permission or, if they have, to provide details about how the material was used in AI training. went.
The EU's Artificial Intelligence Act, the world's first comprehensive AI law, which was passed in March, includes a provision that requires providers of general-purpose AI models to collect material used to train those models. A “sufficiently detailed” summary is required to be made public.
Concerns about the use of AI have plagued the music industry in recent months as the rapid proliferation of generative AI tools makes it easier than ever for anyone to create AI-generated music to rip off copyrighted material. makes
Although regulations protecting human-made work are still lagging in the US, many companies have begun negotiating their own agreements to license their content to train AI models. Some have even sued AI companies, claiming their AI models were trained on copyrighted material.
Some tracks that appear to use AI-generated vocals have already popped up online. Last year, a viral song called “Heart on My Sleeve” was created by an anonymous musician, produced by a “ghostwriter” that featured vocals from Drake and The Weeknd. Looked like. It was immediately removed from streaming services due to copyright. Claimed by Universal Music Group.
(UMG is not affiliated with NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News.)
In April, Drake released “Taylor Made Freestyle,” which featured the AI-generated voice of the late rapper Tupac Shakur. The diss track was removed from Drake's X and Instagram accounts days later after Shakur's estate threatened to sue him.
Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kunkel testified before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee last month to advocate for intellectual property legislation that would protect against unauthorized deep-fax use.
“Our fundamental position on AI is simple. Everyone should have the right to decide how their own name, likeness and voice are used,” Kyncl said in prepared remarks. Basis – These are not just data to be taken and used by others. Everyone's identity should not be used in ways they would never condone or want to participate in.
Artists are also pushing for safeguards against AI. More than 200 artists signed an open letter last month calling on AI developers, tech companies and digital music services to commit to not using AI in ways that “disadvantize songwriters and artists.” impair or alter human artistic abilities.