AI, Machine learning, Hands of robot and human touching on big data network connection background, Science and artificial intelligence technology, innovation and futuristic.
– AI music requires collective licensing in three stages: AI training, providing AI services, and the use of output
Today, the five Nordic music copyright organizations are launching joint principles for the licensing of generative artificial intelligence (AI).
“The principles clearly set the direction for how AI services must handle music rights, and they lay the groundwork for a responsible and sustainable creative economy,” says Inger Elise Mey at TONO.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how music is created and consumed. The Nordic collective management organizations – Stim (Sweden), Koda (Denmark), Stef (Iceland), Teosto (Finland), and TONO (Norway) – today unveil new principles for licensing music used in AI services. These organizations are among the first in the world to introduce such principles.
“Technology companies must respect the rights of music creators, operate with transparency, and compensate the creators whose works are used to build AI music services. Our new principles will ensure rightful revenues for rights holders while providing AI companies with simple access to copyrighted music,” says Inger Elise Mey, Director of International Affairs at TONO.
“The principles clearly chart the course for how AI services must treat music rights and contribute to a responsible and sustainable creative economy,” she adds.
The five organizations are calling for licensing of music rights at three key stages in the AI value chain:
Licensing at all these levels is essential to secure fair remuneration and to preserve the value of human creativity. At the same time, it ensures that AI companies can be confident they are operating legally and responsibly towards songwriters, composers, lyricists, and their rights.
The joint position sets out three specific stages in the AI music value chain where licensing is required:
“Through our joint AI principles, we commit to supporting responsible AI development while protecting the rights and livelihoods of creative artists. Innovation must not come at the expense of human creativity. The contributions of rights holders must be respected, valued, and fairly licensed,” Mey emphasizes.
See the Nordic Position on licensing of generative AI here (pdf)
For AI companies, collective licensing of music rights offers the best possible solution. It ensures easy access to rights, fair remuneration for rights holders, and transparent distribution. This model is effective, sustainable, and resource-efficient for companies.
The organizations are now working to develop detailed licensing models and are ready to enter into agreements with AI companies. They encourage AI companies to reach out for collaboration.
STIM (Sweden), Koda (Denmark), Teosto (Finland), Stef (Iceland), and TONO (Norway) are owned and governed by songwriters, composers, lyricists, and music publishers in their respective countries. Together, they represent close to 250,000 members, in addition to repertoire from around the world through reciprocal agreements with similar organizations globally.
For more information, visit stim.se, koda.dk, teosto.fi, stef.is, and tono.no.
Press Contacts:
Inger Elise Mey, Executive Vice President of International Affairs at TONO, mobile: +47 922 37 982, mey(a)tono.no
Willy Martinsen, Communications Director at TONO, mobile: +47 909 65 254, willy.martinsen(a)tono.no