In the battle against AI using copyrighted music to train their software, Universal Music Group (UMG) is asking streaming services to stop letting artificial intelligence companies access its catalogs.
Streaming services like Spotify and Amazon Music were mentioned specifically as they are platform partners, with UMG owning a large stake in Spotify, and were asked to retain the integrity and copyright of UMG’s artists and music.
AI music software uses both copyrighted and noncopyrighted music to learn trends, patterns, and styles leading many to believe they take direct pieces of music and regurgitate them as “new” work.
UMG states, “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.”
But copyright laws are very unclear relating to the use of tracks for training AI, meaning legal action would be uncharted territory for AI developers and music industry leaders alike.
But it is not unheard of as the global photography catalog Getty Images has already filed a case against Stability AI for allegedly using photos owned by Getty to train its software.
