ASCAP, BMI, SOCAN Accept Registrations of Partially AI-Generated Music

The major North American performing rights organizations (PROs) ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN have updated their policies to accept registrations of musical compositions that are partially generated using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, provided these works include human authorship and creative input. Fully AI-generated compositions, created without meaningful human contribution, remain ineligible for registration. The PROs emphasize that these changes acknowledge the increasing integration of AI tools in the songwriting process while maintaining that human creativity must lead, aligning with the U.S. Copyright Office's standards. The organizations also strongly oppose AI companies training models on copyrighted music without permission, labeling such actions as theft rather than fair use. This policy alignment aims to protect and properly compensate creators using AI as a tool, ensuring respect for their rights and human creativity. The update follows broader legal and ethical discussions surrounding AI in music and reflects the PROs' commitment to adapting to technological advances responsibly.