UMG and Sony Partner With New Tech Company to Combat AI Copyright Infringement

Universal Music Group (UMG) and Sony Music (Sony) have partnered with SoundPatrol, a research lab that has developed a patent-pending method that uses neural embeddings to scrutinize music for AI-generated copyright infringement.

SoundPatrol:

• SoundPatrol has stated it “employs neural embeddings that capture and analyze musical semantics in order to identify the influence of original human-created music in fully or partly AI-generated music content.”

• Neural embeddings convert qualities like chords and melodies into numbers.

• As such, this tech aims to create different sets of numbers for AI-generated audio and human-created audio, making identification easier and more reliable.

• SoundPatrol went on to say the tech it's developing can detect covers, remixes, and derivatives created with AI.

• Prominent music industry professionals who are involved in SoundPatrol include Michael Ovitz, Co-Founder of Creative Artists Agency; songwriter and producer Oak Felder; and Lucas Keller, President of the management firm Milk & Honey.

What they said:

• UMG Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge: “We’re constantly focused on enabling AI – bringing to market the many commercial and creative opportunities that will benefit our artists while establishing effective tools to protect them. Bringing solutions to the table that support the entire industry is at the heart of our relationship with SoundPatrol, who share our commitment to safeguarding our artists’ creative integrity and work.”

• Dennis Kooker, President of Global Digital Business at Sony Music: “We’re committed to navigating this developing landscape by protecting [artists’] work while also exploring the innovative potential of these technologies. Our collaboration with SoundPatrol is about respecting artists’ rights to build a sustainable and equitable ecosystem for everyone.”