Google and Universal Music are currently in discussions to establish a licensing agreement regarding the utilization of artists’ voices and musical compositions for artificial intelligence-generated songs.
These negotiations encompass a potentially groundbreaking concept where fans could access a tool to create AI-generated songs, with proper compensation going to the relevant copyright holders. Artists would have the option to participate in this process voluntarily.
At this stage, the talks are in their early phases, and there are no immediate plans for the launch of a product resulting from these discussions.
These negotiations emerge in response to a recent trend wherein fans employ AI programs to create “deepfake” music, imitating artists’ vocal styles and rhythms to simulate them singing others’ songs or even entirely new material.
Platforms like TikTok have showcased viral videos featuring impressively replicated AI-generated tracks, often without obtaining the necessary permissions from the original artists.
Earlier this year, Universal Music Group removed a song from streaming services that featured AI-generated vocals resembling those of artists like Drake and the Weeknd. The track, named “Heart on My Sleeve,” initially gained immense popularity on TikTok, amassing millions of views and hundreds of thousands of Spotify streams.
As negotiations between Google and Universal progress, the music industry is grappling with the potential impact of AI-generated music, raising concerns over intellectual property rights and copyright protections.
Warner Music Group’s CEO, Robert Kyncl, emphasized the importance of providing artists with a choice regarding AI-generated music, underscoring the significance of safeguarding an artist’s voice and persona.
Legal experts, such as Rosie Burbidge of Gunnercooke LLP, point out that if AI-generated music directly replicates copyrighted works and exhibits similarities in music or lyrics, it could potentially lead to copyright infringement cases.
As the music industry continues to navigate the realm of AI-generated music, these negotiations between Google and Universal Music mark a significant step in addressing the evolving challenges and opportunities presented by this technological advancement.
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