According to the Financial Times, Universal Music Group (UMG) has requested that DSPs block AI from having access to copyrighted content. This is because of concerns about AI firms importing copyrighted music from platforms into their systems, allowing the bots to process the lyrics and music, and then effectively producing melodies or songs in those styles. While such a concept is groundbreaking in that it stretches the limits of our creativity as musicians, it can’t be denied that this kind of technology also introduces a problem with regards to copyright.
A spokesperson for UMG confirmed the report to the Financial Times: “We have a moral and commercial responsibility to our artists to work to prevent the unauthorized use of their music and to stop platforms from ingesting content that violates the rights of artists and other creators. We expect our platform partners will want to prevent their services from being used in ways that harm artists.”
Recently, AI such as ChatGPT has been used to write lyrics in the style of certain artists and also generate vocals that sound exactly like the chosen artist. This opens up a lot of copyright concern, and it is clear that UMG recognizes the implication of this and has taken the first step in what will probably be a series of legal interventions on behalf of their artists who’s content is being used in this manner.
The tweet below shows a song with AI generated vocals of Drake and The Weeknd
Listen to this AI generated song featuring Drake & The Weeknd.
It goes so damn hard.
It’s by “Ghostwriter977” on TikTok and it’s blowing up on socials + streaming platforms.
UMG, which controls around 1/3 of the global music market, has already asked streaming platforms to ban… pic.twitter.com/roz2EfI48M
— Roberto Nickson (@rpnickson) April 16, 2023
