Key Principles for Ethical AI Use in Music Creation

Manatt Entertainment Partner authored an article for Music Business Worldwide outlining a creator-first framework for ethical AI music licensing, grounded in three principles: consent, fair compensation and transparency.

The piece argues that recording artist and songwriter approvals are non-negotiable in any ethical and commercially viable AI music offering and outlines Meller's principles for how royalties should be structured for AI training uses. He also addresses the importance of protecting artists' vocal rights, establishing transparency systems to track AI usage and preparing for contingencies when AI-generated content escapes controlled platforms.

“Generative AI use in music creation must put songwriters and recording artists first. Their life's work is the backbone of our industry and, if licensed, the golden ticket to potential success for AI music offerings,” wrote Meller.

Read the full Music Business Worldwide article .