Sony Music Issues Warning to Tech Companies About Unauthorized Use of Its Content for AI Training

Sony Music Group has issued warnings to over 700 technology firms and music streaming platforms, urging them not to utilize its music for AI training without explicit permission.

While Sony Music acknowledges the “significant potential” of AI, it emphasizes that “unauthorized use of SMG content in the training, development, or commercialization of AI systems” undermines its ability to maintain control and receive “appropriate compensation” for its work.

The company proudly represents a roster of high-profile artists, including Harry Styles, Beyoncé, Adele, and Celine Dion. Sony Music is dedicated to safeguarding its intellectual property, which encompasses audio and audiovisual recordings, cover art, metadata, lyrics, and more. The names of the 700 companies receiving the letter have not been disclosed.

In a statement, Sony Music affirmed its support for artists and songwriters who embrace new technologies to advance their art: “Technological advancements have historically influenced the creative industries. AI is poised to continue this trend, but any innovation must respect the rights of songwriters and recording artists, including copyright protections.”

The letter requests recipients to clarify which songs by Sony Music were used for AI training, how these songs were accessed, how many copies were created, whether any copies still exist, and the purpose of their existence.

The company has set a deadline for recipients to respond, warning that it will enforce its copyright to the “fullest extent permitted by applicable law in all jurisdictions.” This initiative arises amidst growing concerns over copyright infringement linked to the rise of generative AI, particularly as platforms like Spotify see an influx of AI-generated music. This trend has even drawn scrutiny from artists, as exemplified by Drake's recent controversial deepfake of the late Tupac Shakur.

In response to these challenges, California Democratic Representative Adam Schiff recently introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would mandate AI companies to disclose which copyrighted songs were used for training their AI. Furthermore, Tennessee has taken steps to protect artists, becoming the first state to enact such measures after Governor Bill Lee signed the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act into law.