The three major record labels, Universal Music Group (UMG), Warner Music Group (WMG), and Sony Music, are in talks with the big music streaming services to find a way to quickly and easily remove recordings with AI-generated vocals made to sound like popular artists.
The idea currently under discussion would operate similarly to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) but would cite violations of publicity rights rather than copyright. Publicity rights are the right of a person to control the commercial use of their name, likeness, and voice.
The DMCA provides online services with a safe harbor from copyright infringement liability as long as they abide by a notice-and-takedown system. Under this system, rightsholders can send a takedown notice to a service provider.
The new system would use AI to identify AI-generated recordings that violate publicity rights. Once an AI-generated recording is identified, the record labels could send a takedown notice to the streaming services. This would then be required to remove the recording.
This system would allow the record labels to quickly and easily remove AI-generated recordings that violate their artists’ publicity rights.
The rise of AI-generated vocals has been a major concern for the music industry in recent years. These recordings can be used to create unauthorized remixes, covers, and even new songs that sound like the work of popular artists. The record labels are concerned that these AI-generated recordings could damage the reputations of their artists and could also lead to lost revenue.
Publicity Rights Protection
The new system would be a significant step in the fight against AI-generated recordings that violate publicity rights. It would allow the record labels to quickly and easily remove these recordings from the internet. This would help to protect their artists’ rights and their businesses.
The proposed system has been met with mixed reactions from the music industry. Some people believe that it is a necessary step to protect artists’ rights. Others believe that it is too restrictive and could stifle innovation.
It remains to be seen whether the system will be implemented. But it is clear that the music industry is taking the issue of AI-generated vocals seriously.