Bandcamp Lays Out Ban on AI-Generated Music

Bandcamp, the prominent online music store, has banned all AI-generated music from the platform. The company shared a statement saying any music “generated wholly or in substantial part by AI” is not allowed.

Why it matters:

• No other major DSP has put a similar ban in place.

• Per the statement’s current language, those who are approaching AI as a genuine creative tool will not be allowed to sell their music on Bandcamp.

• For example, in July of last year, Hallwood Media signed a deal with the AI music designer, Imoliver. That music is 100% AI generated and thus would not be allowed on Bandcamp.

• Conversely, using AI tools in the process of making music is welcome.

The details:

• Music made with AI tools to impersonate another artist or style is prohibited as well.

• Bandcamp encourages users to report music that violates its AI policies.

• The statement presented the following quote in bold: “We reserve the right to remove any music on suspicion of being AI-generated.”

What they said:

• Bandcamp: “Musicians are more than mere producers of sound. They are vital members of our communities, our culture, and our social fabric. Bandcamp was built to directly connect artists and their fans, and to make it easy for fans to support artists equitably so that they can keep making music. Today we are fortifying our mission by articulating our policy on generative AI, so that musicians can keep making music, and so that fans have confidence that the music they find on Bandcamp was created by humans.”