Labels Propose Rules For AI-Related Recordings
• Believe, BMG, Concord, Dirty Hit, Glassnote Records, HYBE Corp., Mom+Pop Music, Partisan Records, Sony Music, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group have jointly proposed a new set of principles to govern the eligibility of recordings developed with generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) services for inclusion in music charts. [The accompanying images were first used by the RIAA several weeks ago]
The framework would establish a clear boundary between human-led creativity and works that are purely synthetic or generated by unauthorized AI models. It will also help to ensure that any tracks with a fraudulently boosted stream count are not recognized and celebrated in the charts. These principles would enable official charts to accommodate appropriate use of AI in the creative process while remaining an authentic celebration of human artistry.
Under the proposed guidelines, a recording developed using AI would only qualify for chart inclusion if it meets three core criteria, including: 1) The AI service used is properly authorized and lawful; 2) The track is substantially human made; and 3) It does not raise stream or chart manipulation concerns. The full set of proposed chart principles is posted below.
The principles are intended to provide a unified roadmap for the consideration of official chart compilers, industry bodies and affiliated stakeholders worldwide. Together, the organizations proposing these principles stand ready to work with charts and industry bodies around the world to discuss these principles and support implementation of these important safeguards for human creativity by charts and industry bodies.
Tracks created using generative AI systems have been appearing on streaming services, however many of these have been developed with tools that have been trained on artists’ music without authorization. These tracks are also commonly associated with streaming fraud. To tackle this, record companies are driving the development and licensing of AI music services that respect the rights of music creators. Through the implementation of these principles, human creators will have further assurance that tracks manufactured via unauthorized algorithms unjustly built upon their work — or fraudulently promoted — will not be celebrated by industry charts.
The move follows the recent announcement by a broad spectrum of recorded music creators and companies around the world, of a unified approach to voluntary music track labelling to give fans clearer information about the use of generative AI (GenAI) in sound recordings. Distinguishing between “AI-Generated” and “AI-Assisted,” the labels are conceived with broad, global adoption in mind, across digital music services and other partners. Tracks which meet the “AI-Generated” definition would not be considered chart-eligible.
• The full set of chart principles being proposed for consideration by charts and industry bodies are as follows: Recordings developed with generative AI services must not be included in official charts where there is reason to believe that they do not satisfy all of the following criteria:
1) Any generative AI services used to develop the recording are properly authorized and lawful.
2) They are substantially human made.
3) They do not raise stream or chart manipulation concerns.
4) They comply with applicable laws, including those relating to copyright, related rights, and personality rights.
5) The making available of the recordings does not breach the terms of the generative AI service used.
6) The use of generative AI services to develop the recording is appropriately signaled to consumers on downstream services (e.g., digital streaming platforms), in accordance with any applicable legislation and/or industry labelling standards.
