Sony Music has sent letters to hundreds of technology companies warning them not to use its content without permission, Bloomberg reported, which obtained a copy of the letters.
The letter, sent to more than 700 AI companies and streaming platforms, said the “unauthorized use” of Sony Music's content in its AI systems denies labels and artists “control and compensation over their work.” According to Bloomberg, the letter denounces “training, developing, or commercializing AI systems” that use copyrighted material, such as music, art, or lyrics. Sony Music's artists include Doja Cat, Billy Joel, Celine Dion, Lil Nas X, and many more. Sony Music did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The music industry has been particularly aggressive in its efforts to control how its copyrighted works are used when it comes to AI tools: On YouTube, where AI voice clones of musicians exploded last year, labels brokered a strict set of rules that apply to the music industry (all other industries enjoy much looser protections). At the same time, the platform has introduced AI music tools such as Dream Track, which generates songs in the style of a handful of artists based on text prompts.
Perhaps the most visible example of the battle over music copyright and AI is TikTok. In February, Universal Music Group removed all of its artists' music from the platform after licensing negotiations fell apart, leaving artists like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande without songs and muting viral videos.
But the absence didn't last long: Swift's music quietly returned to TikTok in April ahead of the release of her new album (she had to promote it somehow). By early May, the standoff was over, and UMG artists were back on TikTok. The two companies said they'd reached an agreement on more AI protections and “new monetization opportunities” for e-commerce.
“TikTok and UMG are committed to working together to ensure that AI developments across the music industry protect human artistry and the economies that benefit artists and songwriters,” the press release read.
Beyond copyright, the creation of new songs using AI-generated cloned voices raises questions about the degree of control people have over their own voices. AI companies use recording libraries to train models, often without consent, and allow members of the public to use them to generate new material. But even asserting publicity and image rights in the U.S. can be difficult, as laws vary from state to state.