AI song generators face legal scrutiny accused of copyright infringement

AI Song Generators Face Legal Scrutiny Accused of Copyright Infringement

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is where creativity and hard work come together for Lance Charlot and his band. As they prepare for their last rehearsal before hitting the recording studio, MTSU's campus, specifically the Brag Building, becomes a focal point of their musical journey.

Charlot reminisces about his alma mater, MTSU, filled with vibrant memories and the grind of long nights spent creating music. But what if technology could turn these memories into a song? That question is being answered through AI Music Creation programs, which are making waves in the music industry.

AI song generators like "Sunno" and "Udio" have garnered attention for their ability to create catchy tunes almost instantly. Yet, these platforms are caught in a web of legal controversy. Big record companies have filed lawsuits accusing these startups of copyright infringement.

MTSU copyright law professor, Denise Shackleford, explains the intricate legal challenges. She points out that these platforms are likely infringing on sound recording copyrights owned by record labels. This is because they use copyrighted material to train their AI, allowing them to generate new works based on existing ones.

Despite Sunno and Udio's claims of fair use, Shackleford notes, "Fair use isn't a right; it's a defense against infringement."

While electrical and computer engineering graduate Yage acknowledges the usefulness of AI, he believes it pales in comparison to authentic human creativity. "It's interesting and can be fun to play around with," he says, "but if you're going to make something, you should make it yourself."

In Murfreesboro, Aon Krell from News Channel 5 reports on the evolving intersection of technology, creativity, and legalities in the music world.

Keywords

• AI Music Creation
• Sunno
• Udio
• MTSU
• Copyright Infringement
• Fair Use
• Denise Shackleford
• Lance Charlot
• Human Creativity

FAQ

Q: What are Sunno and Udio? A: Sunno and Udio are AI song generator platforms that create music by using artificial intelligence trained on existing songs.

Q: Why are these AI platforms facing legal issues? A: These platforms are facing lawsuits for allegedly infringing on sound recording copyrights owned by record labels by using copyrighted material to train their AI systems.

Q: What is fair use, and how does it apply here? A: Fair use is a legal defense against copyright infringement, claiming that the use of copyrighted material is permissible under certain conditions. However, fair use is not an automatic right and must be proven in court.

Q: What is the stance of MTSU copyright law professor Denise Shackleford on this issue? A: Professor Denise Shackleford explains that these AI platforms likely infringe upon sound recording copyrights and that fair use is a defense, not a right.

Q: How does Yage view AI-generated music compared to human-created music? A: Yage, who has a background in electrical and computer engineering, finds AI music interesting and fun but believes that authentic human creation holds more value.