Important Update on AI & Copyright Protection for Music

MANHATTAN, N.Y. - Jan. 31, 2025 - PRLog -- B.E. Relations Publishing, a leading music rights administration firm, has issued an official statement regarding the U.S. Copyright Office's recent decision on artificial intelligence (AI) in music production. The ruling clarifies the eligibility of AI-generated works for copyright protection, reinforcing the necessity of human creativity in the creative process.

Last year, many of our clients reached out with concerns regarding the integration of AI in their music production and whether such works would be eligible for copyright protection. At the time, we strongly advised against using AI-generated content until the U.S. Copyright Office made an official determination. Over the past year, industry leaders, artists, and rights organizations have actively lobbied to ensure that human creators remain protected in copyright law.

The U.S. Copyright Office has now provided a definitive stance on this matter, stating:

A work must exhibit a significant degree of human creativity to qualify for copyright protection.

Purely AI-generated content, without meaningful human intervention, is NOT eligible for copyright protection.

If an artist uses AI as a tool, contributing substantial creative input, such as adapting, selecting, or arranging AI-generated material, the final work may be eligible for copyright protection.

This decision underscores that human authorship must be clearly evident in a final composition for it to receive copyright protection. For artists considering AI tools in their work, this means that AI should be used as a "creative assistant" rather than an autonomous creator.

"As a company dedicated to protecting the rights of music creators, we welcome this ruling as a critical step in safeguarding human artistry in an era of technological innovation," said Cheyna Pierre, Music Administrator at B.E. Relations Publishing. "We advise all artists to ensure that their creative input remains the dominant factor in their music production to maintain full copyright protection."

The Copyright Office's policies on AI and copyright will continue to evolve. We encourage all music creators to stay informed and consult official resources such as The U.S. Copyright Office AI & Copyright Guide: https://www.copyright.gov/ai/.