Sony Music warns tech companies of using unauthorized content to train AI

Sony Music Group (SMG) is warning more than 700 technology companies and music streaming services not to use their music to train artificial intelligence (AI) without explicit permission. According to the letter obtained by Techlade, SMG has reason to believe that the recipients “may have made unauthorized use” of their content.

Despite recognizing the great potential of AI, SMG is concerned that using their music to train “unlicensed” AI will cause the label and artists to lose control and legitimate interests. Sony Music’s artist roster includes many famous stars such as Harry Styles, Beyoncé, Adele and Celine Dion.

SMG wants to protect its intellectual property rights, including audio and visual recordings, album art, data, song lyrics, etc. The company did not disclose the list of 700 recipients.

“We support artists and musicians at the forefront of embracing new technologies to support their art,” SMG’s statement said. “Technological developments regularly change the creative industries. AI will likely continue that long-standing trend. However, that innovation must ensure respect for the rights of musicians and artists recording, including copyright.”

The letter asks recipients to provide details about which Sony Music songs were used to train the AI ​​system, how the songs were accessed, how many copies were made, and whether the whether stars still exist, and why they exist in the first place.

SMG gave the parties receiving the response a deadline, noting that it will enforce its copyrights “to the fullest extent pursuant to applicable law in all jurisdictions.”

The move comes as the problem of piracy has become more significant with the rise of AI music creation, causing streaming services like Spotify to be flooded with AI-generated music. Even artists are experimenting with AI, with Drake being criticized for using a deepfake on late rapper Tupac earlier this month.

Last month, California Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff introduced a new bill in the US House of Representatives that, if passed, would force AI companies to disclose the copyrighted songs they have used to AI training.

In March, Tennessee became the first US state to protect artists from AI after Governor Bill Lee signed the Ensuring Voice and Visual Security (ELVIS) Act.