Greetings from Dorset, VT. Sony Music Group sent letters to more than 700 companies warning them not to use its music to train AI without explicit permission. The company's says, "We support artists and songwriters taking the lead in embracing new technologies in support of their art." It goes on to say, "However, that innovation must ensure that songwriters’ and recording artists’ rights, including copyrights, are respected." In other words: "Pay up!"
The music industry has long struggled with copyright infringement and piracy. If you remember, in 1999 the RIAA threatened to sue several end users during the Napster era. I don't think that was a particularly good strategy (and I'm being kind).
, Sony Music's stance serves as a reminder that AI companies will have to negotiate compensation for content used in their models. But do they? Every musician that has ever lived has copied and trained on the work of every other musician (living and dead). According to Sony, this is a distinction "with" a difference: scale. It's an interesting argument. We'll see.
In the coming days, it will be interesting to see how tech companies respond to Sony Music's warning and whether other content owners will follow suit. One thing is clear: sooner than later, high-end AI development is going to hit some persnickety IP roadblocks.
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ABOUT SHELLY PALMER
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named he covers tech and business for , is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular . He's a , and the creator of the popular, free online course, . Follow or visit .
